Australia & New Zealand Adventure Part III: North Island, New Zealand
Updated: Aug 20
My dear friends,
I was going to wait a while before another letter, but too much has happened in the past few days that the letter would just be too long if I waited anymore...
I am currently in Wellington waiting for my ferry over to the south island. This country is absolutely incredible. So far, I have seen such a variety of scenery that it has encapsulated some of the most beautiful places I have seen across the globe, but concentrated in just a small island. The land is so many shades of green that you no longer have to fill in the potential spectrum with your imagination.
Yesterday was a highlight so far.... As you all know, I am a Lord of the Rings fan. Well, yesterday I climbed Mount Doom!!!!! (in Mordor, I think this is how it is spelled.) Mount Ngauruhoe, at 2287 meters, is a perfectly symmetrical crater, and as volcanoes go, is relatively young at 2500 years old. It looks exactly as it does in the movie. We were hiking the most popular day hike in New Zealand, the Tongariro Crossing, which at 17 kms is quite a challenge in and of itself. I am currently still sick, I probably have bronchitis because I am hacking away at night. I have also dislodged two ribs in my back (again!!) from coughing; did this deter me from making the ADDITIONAL 3 1/2 hour return trip to the top of the volcano, a 35 degree climb of 750 meter vertical ascent???? Well, I do need my head examining, because it didn't. I still can't believe I made it; I can honestly say it was the most challenging hike I have ever completed in a day.
The views were completely stunning; I have never hiked in a volcanic region like this before. There was steam coming out of the rock, the lakes were emerald from the ground minerals, and the streams flowed HOT water (yes, HOT water — How WEIRD is that????) Looking into the crater of Mount Doom was such a highlight. And yes, I threw the ring in, sat and waited for the eagles, but when they didn't come I slid down the mountain in about 20 minutes by practically "skiing" in boots through volcanic ash and sand.....
What a day... I was so exhausted I was literally cursing and screaming out loud about an hour before reaching the bus; I didn't think I could physically keep going.....somehow the feet kept moving. Everyone clapped when I finally got on board; no, they weren't congratulating my accomplishment, they were ecstatic that I had finally got my sorry ass back on board after they had waited over an hour for me to turn up! I am paying the price today. I can barely move.
The rest of the tour has been wonderful too. We visited some incredible limestone arches at a beach called Cathedral Cove, gone surfing, soaked in some thermal hot pools, attended a Maori concert and feast (my god these people can SING) — saw the famous "HAKA" performed, and drank lots of beer and sang lots of songs (well, I sang lots of songs) (well, except for the mad spontaneous "Like a Virgin" moment yesterday where all danced on the bus). There is a wonderful 60 yr old man on the trip called Larry from Oklahoma. It just so happens that Larry adores musical theatre; so I have been his favorite person on this trip, constantly relenting to his never ending requests for songs from the shows. Of course I am loving the attention, but I think the others are secretly already planning my murder....
In Rotorua, we visited Wai-o-Tapu thermal land, which reminded me of a condensed version of Yellowstone National Park. It was great; lots of bubbling mud and rotten egg smelling geysers. We have been fortunate with weather after it poured for 24 hours after our arrival (putting up tents in a downpour was much much fun!!)
Off we now head to the south island. Tomorrow we shall be in Kaikoura, and I shall be going whale/dolphin watching.... Will write soon.
Love to you all,
Anita
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