...I notice a lot of road signs raising awareness for safe driving. One of them: "others make mistakes; slow down". Hello? Government of New Zealand? I'd like to order 100,000 of those for my country please.
...I am amazed by what seems like a unique Kiwi invention: hospice shops. They're second hand stores selling different goods donated by people to raise funds for hospices. True we have such stuff in Belgium too but those are geared specially toward hospices. Very cool.
...I still have no idea why aisles in supermarkets are not thematically grouped. Why detergents are aisle 15 and personal hygiene is 9. Why cookies are 12 and chocolate - 3. Why??
...I notice a lot of road signs raising awareness for safe driving. One of them: "others make mistakes; slow down". Hello? Government of New Zealand? I'd like to order 100,000 of those for my country please.
...I am amazed by what seems like a unique Kiwi invention: hospice shops. They're second hand stores selling different goods donated by people to raise funds for hospices. True we have such stuff in Belgium too but those are geared specially toward hospices. Very cool.
...I still have no idea why aisles in supermarkets are not thematically grouped. Why detergents are aisle 15 and personal hygiene is 9. Why cookies are 12 and chocolate - 3. Why??
...I eat a hearty kiwi breakfast. At the cafe I notice a young dad carrying his son in a back carrier and wearing a t-shirt saying: "HAVE YOU SEEN MY KID?" Hilarious! Also: it's a ritual here that when you order a cappuccino they always ask if you want cinnamon or chocolate sprinkled on top. McDonalds, Costa Coffee, small local cafe, makes no difference. The question is always there.
...I set out for the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. I approach the trail and the line of parked cars on the gravel approach road starts a good mile before the trailhead. That's what you get for trying to tackle New Zealand's most popular trail on New Year's Eve. Counting on blind luck I push on until the overy end and find a small, illegal but not blocking anyone, space at the parking lot directly adjacent to the beginning of the trail :)
...I set out and the weather is cloudy, so I'm not hoping for any great views. There are a lot of people. The trail is easy and very well maintained but full of Sunday hikers so there are a lot of crossbones and skull type warming signs.
...I make it to the top of the Red Crater and walk down to the Emerald Lake. Despite the clouds, the scenery is breathtaking. Crowds spoil it but only a little. By the way, the Tongariro summit , which you can see in the photos, "played" Mt Doom in the Lord of the Rings movies!
...I go back to the car, drive to Taupo and miraculously find a bed in a cabin at a nearby resort - someone just cancelled! It is a no-frills shared bathroom and toilet room for €65 but it's New Years Eve!!!! Yay! Also: they treat me to cold milk as a welcome drink on arrival :D
...I drive to the center and intend to preload on some beer at a gas station - surprise: gas stations don't sell alcohol here! I find it at the supermarket.
...I drink my beer at the lakeshore and watch the impressive fireworks show and equally impressive drunken feats of inebriated youngsters - British party style: skirts so short you can see the ass and by 11pm everyone is so drunk they fall over. Other than that the atmosphere is nice and friendly, no fights, no shouting.
...I drive back to the hotel and make some calls to Europe. I fall asleep happy. HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!