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Published: January 15th 2008
So... since our last entry we’ve done some pretty cool stuff around the North Island, all the while, still based in Whakatane with Cashy and Gary.
On the 3rd we went to the Waimangu geo-thermal area near Rotorua which only came into existence after a big volcanic eruption in 1888. We spent about three hours walking around seeing various strange micro-landscapes including: boiling sulphuric lakes, smoking hills, bubbling geysers and multi-coloured terraces of surfaced sulphur and other minerals. Only downside was the smell of the place, like a thousand rotten eggs. We’ve kind of got used to this now with the various volcanic areas we’ve been to on our trip though.
On the 5th the four of us made the journey to Taupo on Lake Taupo, our mission was to do the famous
Tongariro Crossing the next day. Just before Taupo we stopped to have lunch by the tranquil Waikato River and then had a look at Huka Falls just along it. After trying some of the famous local honey ice cream and various honey samples, we arrived in Taupo buzzing from too much sugar. That night we had pizza by the lake before watching the sunset turn the
sky various hues of red. It was an early start for Tongariro the next day so we were up at 5.30am. Unfortunately we had a problem with the bus company that was meant to be picking us up, we were told we had the wrong time printed on our ticket, but they couldn’t turn around and pick us up! Luckily it got sorted out after some heated words over the phone and the boss finally came to collect us. We set off on the walk in the Tongariro National Park at 8.30am ready for the demanding 18.5km trek we were to do, and demanding it certainly was. In all the walk took over 7 hours after reaching the end at Ketatahi at 3.45pm and we were all completely exhausted, but it was undoubtedly worth it. The Tongariro Crossing walk is described as the best one day trek in New Zealand, and we were in complete agreement. It was a feast for the senses to walk through all the different types of landscape in one walk. It began heading towards Mt Ngauruhoe with plenty of dark greens, harsh rock faces and lots of black volcanic boulders from previous eruptions carpeting the
Sulphur Terrace
Waimangu, Rotoruaarea. After a strenuous climb over the saddle between Mt Tongariro and Mt Ngauruhoe, it became very much a bare lunar landscape with amazing views over the Emerald Lakes. The best view of all was looking back from Blue Lake to see snow-covered Mt Ruapehu rising in the distance behind Mt Ngauruhoe. We then descended through the moor-like hills of the northern slope of Mt Tongariro towards the stream riddled, lush forest at the end of the Ketetahi Track. All in all, the walk was truly spectacular! We completely understand why Peter Jackson made this area the setting for Mordor in
Lord of the Rings, it is grand in every sense of the word, especially Mt Ngauruhoe a.k.a. Mt Doom.
On the 11th we finally got around to doing a scuba diving trip to White Island which is 48km off the coast of Whakatane. White Island is known for being a rare but accessible active marine volcano, and the diving at certain points around it is regarded as excellent. The weather was fine and clear, but unfortunately windy, which meant for a bumpy ride out there on the boat. We went with a company called
Dive White who Cashy
and Gary used to work for as diving instructors and they ran a really good operation. Both dives went really well, although we felt a bit rusty after five months since our Open Water Course plus it was very different conditions to the tropical diving on Koh Tao. Much colder, more currents and lots of kelp! Whilst down there we saw: blue and pink maomao, koheru, scorpion fish, and grey moray eels. Although we did find out later that we weren’t taken to the best dive sites due to the windy weather, it was still a good experience. We then got a good view of the main volcanic crater, before our sea sickness-inducing ride home.
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carole
non-member comment
Come on u 2 keep sending more blogs i really look 4ward 2 reading them and seeing what a fab time u r both having u look like your really having fun can,t believe your journey is nearly over its gone so quick .Bet your really looking 4ward 2 coming back 2 this lovely weather. Enjoy rest of time u have left and please squeeze a few more blogs in hatake care carolexxx