The start of the crossing

In the Shadow of Mount Doom

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January 12th 2008
I am not one of those people who take the stairs instead of the elevator. Given the option, I would rather watch tv than go to the gym. My time in New Zealand has been the most active I've ever been on holiday. It was a total change from the the beach lifestyle while I was travelling in Australia. Most of the travellers in New Zealand were into tramping aka. hiking. I decided to go to the Tong ... read more

Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Tongariro National Park

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The Polynesian Maori reached New Zealand in about A.D. 800. In 1840, their chieftains entered into a compact with Britain, the Treaty of Waitangi, in which they ceded sovereignty to Queen Victoria while retaining territorial rights. In that same year... ... read more