Advertisement
Published: November 5th 2006
Edit Blog Post
Mt Maunganui beach
Tamsin taking the lead and reading the map....on the beach?!?! Lots has been happening and it has been a while since I have updated my blog but....places to go, people to see...and me to get better from my tummy bug....oh yes the rock iron stomach of Jacquie was broken the other week and I suffered big time which knocked me sideways for three days. Lucky for me I was in the comfort of a family environment where I was looked after (and taken the piss out of too for my silly walk - great sympathy but also a great way to loose some weight).
Thank goodness I was up and better by the time the Simpson family (of which I am now an official daughter) and I set off for the bay of plenty. But only after enrolling the girls into surf club (how cool!) and watching them for two hours - a ritual Nic and Roy will be getting used to every Sunday morning for the summer.
Mount Maunganui was our destination in the Bay of Plenty for the next couple of days and what a fantastic place to chill out. Masses of long beach to walk along and a mountain to climb....oh, the girls moaned (sorry just
Bay of Plenty
Spot the rainbow been corrected by my little buddy Tamsin it was Georgia moaning and Tamsin was sprinting to the top) but in fairness it was a pretty step climb to the top - the view was well worth it though - we could see for miles. Our reward the folloiwng day was an indulging bath in the hot water springs - felt like we were in paradise with the palm trees around us and we had the place to ourselves.
The next day I was then waved off by the family to go off for a couple of days down to
Lake Taupo - never managed to stop there are on my previous visit. After stopping off in Rotorua for half an hour (the smell of sulphur was unbelievable - how do people live here...Tracy???) I arrived in Taupo to lovely sunshine so thought I would make the most of it as I have not seen a lot of sun since arriving in New Zealand. After checking into my very clean and quiet hostel I wandered down to the boatside and booked myself onto a sail/motor cruise for 2 and half hours....it was perfect - not many of us and the
Lake Taupo
On board the Barbary sail boat scenery was lovely. Everyone on board was really friendly - including the ducks who flew alongside us whilst we fed them with ginger biscuits!
Then decided to most make most of the sun so set off on a walk to the
Huka Falls (meant to be 45mins away or so I thought!). Not only did I get lost, was walking on a main road, no one in site and no idea how long, I did not have a hat so with the sun beating down I started to feel a little queezy. No idea what was going through my mind but thought once I arrived at the falls I could perhaps get a bus back or at least order a cab (yeah right!)....but no, arrived at 5.45 with the gates shutting at 6pm and signs saying 2 hour walk home along the river. With that in mind I decided I was in no fit state to walk as really not feeling 100%!a(MISSING)t this stage so what would you do? I weighed up the options - the hut was already shut, I was on the floor practically and the sign loomed at me saying 2 hours to Taupo. Yes,
Snow capped mountains
Either Mt Ngauruhoe or Mt Tongariro?!? good old sensible Jacquie decided to flag a lift - Roy, dont shout - I checked them out carefully - couple my age, girl looked a bit spoddy and man harmless and went for it.....alass my lift home and back into the safeness of my hostel. My bed called as I had an early start the next day.
I was picked up at 6.20am from my hostel. What can I say about the
Tongariro Crossing - oh my god it was amazing. 17km hike which took 7 hours to complete. Said to be the greatest one day walk in NZ the walk passed through the volcanic areas of Mt Tongariro and Mt Ngauruhoe, across a crater, through the snow and climbing up to the highest part (1886m) to the red crater which was....red and steaming. Then down through the emerald lakes....very emerald, and through just a complete variety of landscape that was just stunning. Lucky for me I had a great walking buddy who made the trip seem to fly by (thanks Andy!). After passing the hot springs we wandered down through the native forest and managed to easily make it back for the first bus at 3.30. I
Tongariro Crossing
Me and the emerald lakes felt so good.
A well earned beer was had later.....and boy did I sleep well that night. Next day I had a massage and I have to say my calves didnt half ache!
Then bus ride back up to Auckland where I was met my a massive hug and smiley face from Georgia....bless!
Advertisement
Tot: 0.054s; Tpl: 0.009s; cc: 12; qc: 24; dbt: 0.0204s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1mb
Marielle
non-member comment
Cast-iron Cutler struck down with tummy bug? Surely not!! Glad you've recovered now tho. Trek photos look fab xx