Abel Tasman National Park, South Island

After leaving the Lake Taupo area, we drove down to Wellington, stayed one night, and took the car on the ferry to make the three hour crossing over the Cook Strait to the South Island and then onward to the Abel Tasman National Park where we have stayed for three nights. It has been nice to stay put for a little while. We spend one day kayaking and walking in the park and another relaxing and shopping for the many arts and crafts of the area. 

We are about to head off towards Hamner Springs this morning but I thought I would just post a few random pictures from the trip.

We all took an all day kayak tour in the park. We met our guide at 830am, and took a 30 minute water taxi into the park (the only way in the park is by boat or walking). We kayaked out to a seal colony island and then down the coast a little ways. We then had a yummy cooked lunch on the beach and then headed off for a two hour walk on the coastal track. 

This is Mount Ruapehu which we got great views of driving down to Wellington. It is the highest peak in the North Island standing at 9175 feet. It is an active volcano that last erupted in 1995. There are a few ski fields on the mountain.

The above photo was taken on the Coromandel Peninsula. We went for a two hour hike into a deserted bay. It was a nice spot and good for picknicking with beer and salami sandwiches.

One of our many yummy dinners. We have been sampling a few of New Zealand's pizzas which very interesting toppings. This is the pizza I spoke of in an earlier post that had cashews, chicken, avocado, and cranberry sauce. The mussels were nice as well with a chili, garlic and white wine sauce. We had another pizza a couple nights ago with tandoori chicken, mango chutney, yogurt, and banana. It was tasty as well.

Georgie and I overlooking the Coromandel Town on the first day we arrived on our way to Kuaotuna and the Black Jack Lodge.

Tongariro Alpine Crossing

So it has been a busy last few days and I haven't had a chance to sit down and write a blog. A lot has happened. Since leaving the Coromandel Peninsula on Friday the 20th, we headed towards Lake Taupo area which was an all day drive in the pouring rain. We arrived at our the Extreme Backpackers and checked into a shared room with bunk beds. Despite having to share a bathroom, the facilities were fairly nice and the people very friendly. They even had a climbing wall next to the backpackers. We were glad to get out of the car and settle in.

 The weather forecast for the next wasn't great with rain possible and wind. Despite the poor forecast, we decided to try to hike the famous Tongariro Alpine Crossing. It is the most popular one day walking track in New Zealand. It is 19 km long and is a point to point and you hire a shuttle to take you to the start and the pick you up 8 hours later at the finish. The trek takes you over active volcanic terrain starting at 800m with the highest point being the Red Crater at about 1800m. There are two huts along the way for people to stay overnight if you pay fees to the Department of Conservation. I believe some of Mordor in the Lord of the Rings was filmed in this area.

We woke up the morning of the 21st and it was actually surprisingly clear and the shuttle was still going to run so we decided to go along with about 6 or 7 other people. The drive to the start was about an hour and as we got closer, the weather started to get worse with mostly fog and some rain. We arrived at Mangatepopo car park about 9 am and everyone piled off the bus. There were a few others at the start including a big group of Kiwi runners.

So we decided to head off and if we decided to turn around due to weather, we could ring the bus driver and he would come get us at the start. 

As we headed up the track, the visibility was not great but it was only misting rain. As we got up further towards the beginning of the steep climb up to the Red Crater, it began to rain harder and the wind picked up. Just before the top of the South Crater, some of the others began to come back down including some of the Kiwi runners. They warned us the winds were even worse up higher and rain was blowing sideways. After much discussion, we decided as a group to go a little further after putting on more layers. I was surprisingly not that cold but wet. I didn't even have gloves on. We got up to the South Crater and the winds died down a little but as we crossed the flat, sandy part of the crater the wind gusts really picked up enough to almost blow you over.

They as we started to climb up to the Red Crater, the winds were ridiculous and the footing was not great. Gusts were so strong I had to stop and brace myself before continuing. At that point, it was getting scary and we decided to turn around. We had made it 3 hrs in and about 8kms. It was very disappointing and with the poor visibility we had no views. I can only imagine how great the could have been. It was really hard to believe some of the Kiwi runners continued on and didn't turn around.

The walk back wasn't too bad once we got down off the steep part. By the time we got back to the start, I was completely wet all the way through top and bottom and my gortex boots were puddles. Luckily we only had to wait about 1/2 hour for the shuttle.

We were very thankful to get back to the backpackers, shower, and put on dry clothes. It was actually sunny and warm back at the town of Turangi where we were staying and we still had a few hours of daylight. So we drove to Taupo (about 45kms north) and walk around and shop and enjoy a beer on the waterfront. It was a nice end to the day and hard to believe only a couple hours ago we were soaking wet and being blown over by hurricane force winds!

Kuaotuna, Coromandel Peninsula

Well, we arrived safely in Auckland at 510am after a long sleepless plane flight. We successfully met up with my Aussie friend Georgie who I have not seen for about 4 years. She will be travelling with us for 10 days. We headed off from the airport to hire our beaten down old white Nissan we named Dazzy. Georgie agreed to drive as she was not as jet lagged and was used to driving on the left side of the road. We quickly left the Auckland area and headed for the Coromandel Peninsula. The road was very windy and narrow. Good thing Georgie was driving. It was beautiful and the road was right next to the water.

We stopped for lunch and got some groceries in Coromandel Town before heading to our destination of Kuaotuna and Black Jack Lodge, a very small country town. We arrived early afternoon with warm greetings from Carl who showed around us the place. It is a beautiful spot with only 1 minute walk to the beach, a river running through the property, chickens with fresh eggs, a herb garden and a cleanly kitchen. We stayed in the Bakehouse (see pic above) with our own sitting area.

We were exhausted but managed a swim in the beach (see pic) and then cleaned up for a nice dinner in the next town over at the Fireplace. We ate yummy chili/garlic mussels and a pizza with cranberry sauce, avocado, cashews, brie and chicken. It was quite tasty. It was a quick trip and no problems going bed at 9pm.

Not a bad first day.

The Night Before

In anticipation of our journey to New Zealand, I thought starting a blog would be a good way to keep a journal of the trip for friends and family to see our progress as well as something for us to look back on. I hope you find this interesting and fun as I attempt my first blogging experience.......

So it is the night before we leave for our trip and we are still tying up last minute loose ends and finalizing travel plans. I think we both have cabin fever as it has been raining here in the Bay Area for the past week so getting out has been harder to do. This does not help our anxiousness and anticipation for the long 13 hour flight down to Auckland. John cannot get over the fact he is losing a day in his life to get over there. I told him not to worry as we get to live a day twice over when we fly back.......

Well, bags are almost packed....Time to get ready for bed. 

However, sleep might be difficult tonight. 

We will try.

Good Night!

See you in New Zealand.