Tongariro Crossing

My aunty and I did our second attempt at climbing Tongariro last month, and we did it. It wasn't a speedy attempt by any means, but we finally got to the end, 11hrs after starting. Turns out Aunty had twisted her ankle and sprained it, she didn't get it checked out til 5 days after we got back, I was amazed that she managed to finish the walk, when I asked her about it, she said "I'm tough." Lol. Yep, tough enough to finish the walk.

The weather was beautiful, sunny but with a bit of mist and breezes, a bit chilly up the top, but manageable, hardly any wind, great views all around of Ruapehu (still with snow on the top), Taranaki and Lake Taupo. There were hundreds of people on the mountain, but not surprising since it was perfect weather. Most of them passed me on the way up.

I hated the Devils Staircase, actually, I hated all the uphill parts. I remember we were sitting at one point and this girl walked past us and said "Ladies its only 20m to the top!" Well that gave us the motivation we needed to keep going. Turns out she was a guide, her name was Catherine. She gave us some tips for descending down the scree on the other side, told us to go 20m to the right for a great view (of the red crater - we would have missed it otherwise) and then she lent me her walking pole to use on the way down. What an angel.

We got down to the Emerald lakes and decided to have lunch, it was about 1pm, we didn't realize we weren't even halfway or we would have pressed on. But the walk after the emerald lakes was way easier than the first part, mostly flat or downhill. I liked the blue lake too, but not as much. Taupo on the other side looked way better.

We were so relieved to get to the hut and be able to refill our water bottles, and relieve ourselves. Aunty only had 1L of water and we had both finished off my water by that stage, I never would have made it to the end without extra water. There was no signal for the last 2/3rds of the mountain, so I couldn't let our ride know how far away we were. By the time we got to the bush near the bottom I was over it, and the last half hour was speed walking to get to the end, left Aunty behind, which I felt bad about when I finished, but I just wanted it to be over, i was so tired. My legs were killing me (and the next 4 days I could barely walk my muscles were so stiff), and I couldn't even enjoy the pretty waterfalls on the sides.

We arrived at the end at 6:15pm. Luckily we had started at 7am or we would have finished in the dark. Nikki had been waiting ages for us, but she said at least she had lots of eye candy to entertain her, all the guys getting to the end and pulling their shirts off, that would have been a nice sight to see, lol.

She took us to the hot pools where we had an awesome soak, I started drifting off, then she took us home and fed us an awesome roast then we crashed out for the night, having earned a great sleep.

New Chums Beach

New Chums, off Whangapoua beach, is a lovely hidden jewel, but not a secret. Lots of visitors the day I was there. It reminded me a lot of the beaches in the Abel Tasman, golden sand bays with aqua blue water and bush all around (though this one had some rocky cliff faces). Theres a few campaigns to "Save New Chums" around the place, which I asked one of the locals about. She said its owned by developers and people don't want it developed because that will spoil its current natural loveliness. If i had a treasure like that in my backyard, I would want it saved for future generations as well.

Cathedrale Cove

I hadn't been to Cathedrale Cove for about 20yrs when I decided to go back and check it out again. It was completely overrun by people and it was nearly impossible to get a carpark, I had to drive down the hill and back up a couple of times before I spotted some people about to leave and took their carpark. It was a hot wonderful summers day and the water was awesome and refreshing. I did wonder about everyones blatant disobservance of all the warning signs around the archway warning about falling rock possibility. But then I can't really talk coz I went through the arch a few times to take photos and go for a swim on the other side.

The last time I was there it was a sunday and we went with our youth group. The leaders wouldn't let anyone in the water, it being the Sabbath, and so we ended up building sand castles on the beach (Book of Mormon oriented ones, if I remember rightly) until some of the boys "accidentally" threw their ball in the water and all of them needed to go in the water to get it back out.

This time I went for a swim, it was much better.

Hahei

I had never been to Hahei beach before, nor did I realize how close it was to Cathedrale Cove (which I went to when I was 12). Lucky I went on a weekday the place was completely packed out, I was so glad I have a little car or I never would have got a park. One of the most beautiful calm swimming beaches I have ever been to.
I didn't realize it was a marine reserve until I got there. Got talking to one of the locals who has lived there for a few decades, he loves the place. It was easy to see why.

Tairua

When I was younger my cousins often went to Tairua on their summer holidays and would tell us about their great times. I had never been there, and so when I saw the sign for it on my way up the Coromandel Peninsula I decided to stop in for a looksee. It was great. Climbed up the top of Paku Hill and took photos of the scenery - could see Pauanui from the top.

Catlins

Had an awesome day travelling between Dunedin and invercargill, stopping in this rugged wilderness area known as the Catlins which one of my friends had told me about when she was studying down at Otago. Brilliant. We went to McLean Falls, a lighthouse, Kaka Point, Porpoise Bay, Lake Wilkie, and to see a petrified fossilized forest. Got to see sealions, little penguins and a varying assortment of seabirds. I need to go back some other time and hire a car so I can stop wherever I want. Found out some of my ancestors settled in southland at a little place called Tapanui, just north of Gore, so need to check that out too.

Tongariro Attempt 1

My aunty, friend and I went to Tongariro to do the crossing. Unfortunately we were turned back a quarter of the way into it due to my aunty hurting her ankle, and also gale force wind conditions further up the mountain. It was misty and horrible, but we still had a great time. Will be returning later to attempt to finish the hike.