Hello, We finally were able to do the Tonariro crossing near Taupo. We had wanted to do it about 6 weeks ago but weather was bad. We got up at 5 to catch the shuttle bus to the Tongariro National Park, but it broke down so we didnt set off on the hike untill 8.30! It was boiling hot and after walking across a rubblty plain we had to go up the 'devils staircase' ...jon thought it was called stairlift so was hoping she would get carried up but o no... it was like vertical rock face but right on the side of Mt Ngharou (aka MT DOOM we were so close) I t was hard work getting to the top of the satircase but there were some beautiful views of the volcanoes all around us. We hiked along some craters that looked like Mars and then up again to the top of Mt Tongariro. Joanne aptly said at the top that 'There is no where else i would rather be right now'it was amazing, breathtaking out of this world terrain and views that stretched for miles. As we slided our way down this peak(it was scarily steep) the Emerald Lakes came into view. 3 big lakes that were turquouise on top of this fat mountain it was really cool.The whole hike took about 6 hours for us..reccommended time is 7-8 hours so we are know super fit hiking type people.Sweet As bro! Last night we had fish and chips on the beach in Mount Muanganui(v hard to say) they were the best fish and chips in the world ever!fresh fish and homemade chips. it was so good. This was followed by a healthy dose of running down the beach pretending to be on bay watch....it was a surfing beach and the sun was setting what do you expect? it was very romantic.ahhhh We are in Auckland now and in 5 days will be setting off for Thailand!we are really excited , especially jessica s mike is coming to join us on the 23rd! Then its jons birthday and then her mum and bro are coming!awesome!