Misa Edito:
Our final trip with kiwi-kun was spent at
Tongariro National Park (
Mordor of the "
Lord of the Rings"
trilogy). The "
Lonely Planet" said that
Tongariro Crossing was a hike not to be missed, so we set off for the mountains. Having been rather mild up to that point, the snow was much appreciated. But tools that we are... this is the same area that is famous for skiing (as all the ski-bunnies in the parking lot attested to)... we thought we could just casually walk up there and do the 7-8 hour hike. At this time of year, it's an experienced hikers' hike... with ice axes and crampons necessary! Needless to say... we found other hikes to do.
We managed a morning hike where the water in the stream was so rich in iron oxide that it colored all the nature it touched, a deep rust color. We returned to warm up and refuel in kiwi-kun... the convenience of driving a house! And then did an afternoon/early evening hike to a beautiful waterfall. The weather for both hikes was so varied and unpredictable, that we cycled from sun, to rain to snow to sleet and back again from one minute to the next! It was great fun leaving our footprints in the virgin snow for the day... and trying to avoid falling thigh high into the snow-tracks of hikers past. The air here was so crisp and clean, that these city lungs wept for joy... and are weeping still in the oppressive heat and humidity of Tokyo in summer! :( oohhh, to be back in New Zealand!!!!
