We left you last time at the day we though we might die.. but didn't.
We left Blue Duck Lodge early Friday morning to drive back into Tongariro National Park and get kitted out/briefed for our hike. Only a few people opted out but the rest of us were driven out to the start point as it started to drizzle at 9am. We quickly split up into groups with different walking speeds and mum and I stayed with Monica and Gustav who were our angels the entire time - they wouldn't leave us and said we started it together so we'd finish it together!
At first it was fairly flat over a boardwalk with loads of old volcanic rock surrounding us. It was fairly foggy to we couldn't see to far. The path got steeper with more steps then eventually it was just steep walk up a mountain side! Looking back I cant believe how excited I was to see snow and have a picture with it. After to hours there was nothing I hated more than wind and snow and mountains. We spent about 20 minutes crossing a gap of just white on white only guided by the wooden posts.The higher we climbed the fiercer the wind got and the temperature got. The guides told us it got windy up there but we Never thought it was dangerous. The ridge only looked about 20 feet wide in the fog and every time we heard the wind whistle towards us it was drop to the floor or grab a rock and cling on. Giant rocks became retreats for water and rest stops. I cried about half an hour from the top because I was just so scared and there was no way out except to carry on. The four of us felt totally isolated. Only later when we finished did we find nearly everyone felt the same up there. When we Finally stepped over the summit we were amazingly blessed with 15 mins of a clear blur sky to look down on the Emerald Pools and make our way down to a flat to cross more snow. Just over one more hill and the snow began to recede as we walked down. The sky cleared and we spent the last two hours or so walking down a mountain side in sunshine as the grass turned to trees then trees to forest for the final 3km stretch to the car park. Each set that arrived were applauded. By 4pm we were wiped and everyone was back and on the bus, racing to the hot tub once we were checked into the lodge. Then dinner and drinks we all deserved as we hobbled to our seats.
Mum did So well on the hike. I thought the steps might get the best of her but she carried on and kept me calm at the top. The four of us got through mainly on humour and Gustav keeping an eye on us!!
And that was the Tongariro Crossing.
Saturday the group boarded the bus a little achy but happy as we headed for Wellington! This was our final stop on the North Island with our tour guide Nick and a few members so after check in and a walk around the Awesome Te Papa Museum a few of us came back to catch him before he left. Sad times.
The Museum blew our minds with the animals, culture, environmental info of the country. Pictures will describe it better at a later date!
After dinner at the hostels bar I went out with a few of the younger bunch to watch the fireworks while mum got an early night. I didn't realise they celebrated Guy Fawkes over here but I was please to be wrong. The display was one of the best I've ever seen! We all left smiling and headed up to the Welsh Bar for Cell, then went to the Library Bar which was home for me!! People faded out throughout the evening so Steph and I had a quick dance in Wonderland until out legs told us no more and we headed for bed.
Sunday morning we left a few behind including Gustav and Monica to continue their travels elsewhere. Wasn't nice but we moved on together across the ferry to Picton where we met to new ladies and our tour guide Wozzer. Drove down to Abel Tasmen National Park and BBQ-ed it up before bed! Mum and I got an Aqua Taxi up a few bays the next morning and enjoyed a breathtaking 12km walk back to Marahue Bay for our horse riding at 2pm. Abel Tasmen has blue waters, white beaches and lush green landscapes. We were blessed with two beautiful days there before pack up and having a driving day to Hanmar Springs yesterday (Tuesday).
Passed though Nelson NP and another with great photo stops of the Southern Alps. Greenacres Lodge was lovely and the hot springs after dinner was perfect. Panicked a little when my ring bronzed in the sulphur pools but thankfully the desk could put it in a solution to clean it back to silver!
Today we're in Kaikoura in the best hostel I've ever seen, the Fish Tank Lodge - will snap some pictures!Mum went whale watching but unfortunately they only heard them on the monitor. She saw some dolphins and an albatross and had a nap! I stayed here with Cell as we're saving money for Queenstown activities so while everyone whale and dolphin watched Wozzer took us to do the shopping and we cooked for everyone. Just need to go back a re-heat it all now!! Expect they're starving...
Thanks again for reading everyone, sorry we cant message you all individually.
Tons of love as we travel via Christchurch to Franz Josef tomorrow while you all sleep! Home in two weeks!
Love to our two boys waiting at home,
Josie and Kim xxxxxxxxxx
We left Blue Duck Lodge early Friday morning to drive back into Tongariro National Park and get kitted out/briefed for our hike. Only a few people opted out but the rest of us were driven out to the start point as it started to drizzle at 9am. We quickly split up into groups with different walking speeds and mum and I stayed with Monica and Gustav who were our angels the entire time - they wouldn't leave us and said we started it together so we'd finish it together!
At first it was fairly flat over a boardwalk with loads of old volcanic rock surrounding us. It was fairly foggy to we couldn't see to far. The path got steeper with more steps then eventually it was just steep walk up a mountain side! Looking back I cant believe how excited I was to see snow and have a picture with it. After to hours there was nothing I hated more than wind and snow and mountains. We spent about 20 minutes crossing a gap of just white on white only guided by the wooden posts.The higher we climbed the fiercer the wind got and the temperature got. The guides told us it got windy up there but we Never thought it was dangerous. The ridge only looked about 20 feet wide in the fog and every time we heard the wind whistle towards us it was drop to the floor or grab a rock and cling on. Giant rocks became retreats for water and rest stops. I cried about half an hour from the top because I was just so scared and there was no way out except to carry on. The four of us felt totally isolated. Only later when we finished did we find nearly everyone felt the same up there. When we Finally stepped over the summit we were amazingly blessed with 15 mins of a clear blur sky to look down on the Emerald Pools and make our way down to a flat to cross more snow. Just over one more hill and the snow began to recede as we walked down. The sky cleared and we spent the last two hours or so walking down a mountain side in sunshine as the grass turned to trees then trees to forest for the final 3km stretch to the car park. Each set that arrived were applauded. By 4pm we were wiped and everyone was back and on the bus, racing to the hot tub once we were checked into the lodge. Then dinner and drinks we all deserved as we hobbled to our seats.
Mum did So well on the hike. I thought the steps might get the best of her but she carried on and kept me calm at the top. The four of us got through mainly on humour and Gustav keeping an eye on us!!
And that was the Tongariro Crossing.
Saturday the group boarded the bus a little achy but happy as we headed for Wellington! This was our final stop on the North Island with our tour guide Nick and a few members so after check in and a walk around the Awesome Te Papa Museum a few of us came back to catch him before he left. Sad times.
The Museum blew our minds with the animals, culture, environmental info of the country. Pictures will describe it better at a later date!
After dinner at the hostels bar I went out with a few of the younger bunch to watch the fireworks while mum got an early night. I didn't realise they celebrated Guy Fawkes over here but I was please to be wrong. The display was one of the best I've ever seen! We all left smiling and headed up to the Welsh Bar for Cell, then went to the Library Bar which was home for me!! People faded out throughout the evening so Steph and I had a quick dance in Wonderland until out legs told us no more and we headed for bed.
Sunday morning we left a few behind including Gustav and Monica to continue their travels elsewhere. Wasn't nice but we moved on together across the ferry to Picton where we met to new ladies and our tour guide Wozzer. Drove down to Abel Tasmen National Park and BBQ-ed it up before bed! Mum and I got an Aqua Taxi up a few bays the next morning and enjoyed a breathtaking 12km walk back to Marahue Bay for our horse riding at 2pm. Abel Tasmen has blue waters, white beaches and lush green landscapes. We were blessed with two beautiful days there before pack up and having a driving day to Hanmar Springs yesterday (Tuesday).
Passed though Nelson NP and another with great photo stops of the Southern Alps. Greenacres Lodge was lovely and the hot springs after dinner was perfect. Panicked a little when my ring bronzed in the sulphur pools but thankfully the desk could put it in a solution to clean it back to silver!
Today we're in Kaikoura in the best hostel I've ever seen, the Fish Tank Lodge - will snap some pictures!Mum went whale watching but unfortunately they only heard them on the monitor. She saw some dolphins and an albatross and had a nap! I stayed here with Cell as we're saving money for Queenstown activities so while everyone whale and dolphin watched Wozzer took us to do the shopping and we cooked for everyone. Just need to go back a re-heat it all now!! Expect they're starving...
Thanks again for reading everyone, sorry we cant message you all individually.
Tons of love as we travel via Christchurch to Franz Josef tomorrow while you all sleep! Home in two weeks!
Love to our two boys waiting at home,
Josie and Kim xxxxxxxxxx
Where's my love, how rude xxxxx
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