P1050983

Taupo - Tongariro Alpine crossing

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February 4th 2009
Up very early today we were due to be picked up at 6am for the drive to the start of the crossing. We were all very tired and most of us slept all the way to the start. We got there it was quite cold and the mountains were covered in clouds. After a quick comfort break we set off in a group, it quickly became apparent that some people walked at very different paces so we formed smaller groups w ... 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