Hi Everyone,

After leaving Rotorua we headed back to Taupo again but this time it was purely to go to the Tongario National Park. So the next morning we found ourselves up very very early catching a bus to the park at 5.40 am so we could complete the Tongario Crossing which is supposed to be one of NZ best one day walks.

The crossing is a 18km walk through volcanic craters, climbing up ridges, passing blue lakes and finally finishing up walking through forest. It was fab, though half way up the Devils staircase (named so for a reason), we werent thinking that. But at the top you were rewarded with an amazing view plus a closer look at Mt Doom from Lord of the Rings, in case you dont know like we didnt Mt Doom is where Frodo throws away the ring at the end. We then had to virtually scramble up the side to the red crater walk along the ridge before sliding down the scree back to the bottom the other side which was great fun. The blue lakes would have been great for a swim but like everything in the area are full of toxic acids so really wouldnt have been a great plan. We settled for having our lunch by the edge instead. The last part of the walk was through shrub land and forest which provided some very welcome shade.

It took us about 6 hrs to complete the walk and although our aching legs wouldnt agree it was thoroughly worth it.

Long drive down to Wellington tomorrow then to the South island.

Take care

Tatey and Lou xxx