I spent 2nts here, so thought I would do the Tongariro Crossing, which is an 8 hour walk across a volcano. The views up there were supposed to be fab, so I thought why not! Anyway, the morning I was due to do it, it was cold, raining and windy...but I didn't let that put me off, so off I went....well BIG mistake! I managed to get up to what they call Devils Staircase, which was steep and got to the South Crater, where the lovely emerald lakes are supposed to be...but I couldn't see a thing...it was so misty and the wind had really picked up. A lot of people had started turning back as the wind was getting stronger and this started freaking me out a bit, so I turned back with them! oh well I tried! We then had to wait about 2hours for the bus, to wait for the others that continued with the walk ...I was so cold and absolutely soaked! In the evening Phil & Alma cooked dinner and then we went for a few well deserved beers!!