This time as I headed through Taupo, it was not covered in a layer of cloud and rain and I could see snow capped mountains in the distance. I think summer has finally arrived here!
The next day we set off at stupid o'clock to do the Tongariro Crossing. An 18km hike over some volcanoes with breathtaking scenery!
As we set off it was cloudy and, following a challenge by Milly, we decided it was time to pen our second version of Amarillo since we left home. Below are our efforts... Milly your turn!
Is this the Way to Aotearoa?
When the day is dawning,
The fellowship wake up yawning.
Another day's walk,
Tongariro, minus the bad orcs.
As we start the journey,
Mount Doom's on our right.
If you see the Nazgul,
Just watch H and Kate take flight
Is this the way to Aotearoa?
I've taken so many photos I will bore ya
Dreaming dreams of Aotearoa
The land of the long white cloud.
There's a young girl screaming
As she plummets metres from the ceiling
Of the sky tower
Jumping off it sapped all her will power
Then there was zorbing,
The giant gerbil ball
Caving and abseiling
No time for sleep at all...
Is this the way to Aotearoa?
I've taken so many photos I will bore ya
Dreaming dreams of Aotearoa
The land of the long white cloud.
I've taken so many photos I will bore ya
Dreaming dreams of Aotearoa
The land of the long white cloud.
By this time the cloud had burnt off and we were walking in brilliant sunshine under a blue sky. The power of song eh!
Before long we had reached the first climb of the day - the Devil's Staircase - personally if the devil is involved in all the deadly sins, I know for a fact he would not be bothered to climb this and would have installed a Stanna Stairlift - it was a bit steep! 
We struggled on for the 40 minute rocky climb, which was well worth all the effort and the shaky legs at the top. The view was of the valley, clear at first and then covered in cloud stretching to snow capped mountains in the distance, and on the other side, Mount Ngauruhoe - a large black conical volcano better known as Mount Doom in Lord of the Rings!
From here across the south crater (easy walking) and then up the Red Crater Ridge. Although no where as steep as the Devils Staircase it was just as hard going, as you were walking on scree (one step forward two steps back) and at the top you also had to contend with trying your hardest not getting blown off the top into a large drop on either side!
I did the first bit down on my bottom ( a rather good anchor I have found!) and then once the wind had dropped slid on my heels the rest of the way, admiring the view of the Emerald pools which we now had. This provided a very picturesque lunch stop.
From here across the Central crate
r to the Blue lake, and the view back was amazing - snow capped mountains, the red of the Red Crater, the emerald pools and Mount Doom. Amazing.
We though it would be plain sailing from here, but as always, "down" prooves to be just as painful on the legs as "up", and there was a hell of a lot of switchback "down" to contend with.
r to the Blue lake, and the view back was amazing - snow capped mountains, the red of the Red Crater, the emerald pools and Mount Doom. Amazing.We though it would be plain sailing from here, but as always, "down" prooves to be just as painful on the legs as "up", and there was a hell of a lot of switchback "down" to contend with.
We did have great views of Lake Taupo in the distance and Lake Rotoaira in the foreground, and even found a patch 
of snow to be photographed in!Finally we reached the bottom just 6 hours after starting, and lazed like Iguanas in the sun waiting for the bus back to the hostel.
Boy did I ache the next day!
1 comment:
Interesting to know.
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