Our last month here hasn’t been as exciting compared to our previous travels, but it is what we expected. We’ve traveled to some old places and new places and got to see some more spectacular scenery. The weather is warmer, but we still needed to plan around the rain. We’ve spent heaps of time driving around trying to see as much as we can. We travelled up the west coast and the weather forecast was terrible, so we contacted our “house mates” from the orchard. John and Av put us up for a couple nights and it was wonderful. We explored Mt. Taranaki region and then came back to warm fires, hot showers, and spectacular homemade kiwi meals. They entertained us with their stories of world travel and work and have become quite an inspiration for Michelle and I.
Months ago we tramped around the volcanoes in the Tongariro
National Park, but we were unable to access a portion of the area due to
volcanic activity. Well the trail opened up and we were keen on seeing the park
again. We did the Tongariro Crossing, which is considered one of the top 10
hikes in the world.
We started off the hike and after 2 hrs the clouds moved in. So we turned around so we could try again the next day. We feel so fortunate to have the time to be so adaptable. It is one thing we’ve taken advantage of since we’ve been here.
The hike and weather was superb for our 2nd attempt. We finished the long hike and spent an hour or so in the hot-pools nearby; what an awesome day.
A few days later, on our 4 year anniversary (which we both almost forgot), we hiked up Mt. Ngauruhoe (Mt. Doom). It was pretty difficult as there really wasn’t a trail going up and down. It was just small loose rocks and super steep. A few months back we saw somebody get rescued off of it. Some people “run” down the loose rocks as it’s easier, but one slip will put them in trouble. We took our time and made sure we didn’t do anything stupid.
Once again there were amazing views and the experience alone was unforgettable. We spent the evening in the hotpools again followed by an amazing Thai dinner. The Tongariro Park is out of this world, and is one of our favorite places here in NZ.
We started off the hike and after 2 hrs the clouds moved in. So we turned around so we could try again the next day. We feel so fortunate to have the time to be so adaptable. It is one thing we’ve taken advantage of since we’ve been here.
The hike and weather was superb for our 2nd attempt. We finished the long hike and spent an hour or so in the hot-pools nearby; what an awesome day.
A few days later, on our 4 year anniversary (which we both almost forgot), we hiked up Mt. Ngauruhoe (Mt. Doom). It was pretty difficult as there really wasn’t a trail going up and down. It was just small loose rocks and super steep. A few months back we saw somebody get rescued off of it. Some people “run” down the loose rocks as it’s easier, but one slip will put them in trouble. We took our time and made sure we didn’t do anything stupid.
Once again there were amazing views and the experience alone was unforgettable. We spent the evening in the hotpools again followed by an amazing Thai dinner. The Tongariro Park is out of this world, and is one of our favorite places here in NZ.
We left the volcanoes and stopped to look at some bubbling mud
and steaming pools in Rotorua for a day or two. We kept moving along to the east coast back to
some nice sandy beaches. We enjoyed some nice walks there but we knew our time
here was ending. A few hours and we were back where we started, Orewa. We are
now staying with our friends Heather and Hamish in Orewa, near Auckland,
awaiting our flight home. We have a 10hr layover in San Francisco, where we
will do the Alcatraz and pier tours. We are excited to get back to the Family,
friends, and the lake.
Selling the van was quite the experience. Michelle and I
were nervous that we wouldn’t be able to sell it for a respectable price since
it’s the winter season here and nobody’s looking for a campervan. I put the van
up on a classified website, and we had somebody that was willing to pay the
full price. We were both a little suspicious, but everything else seemed fine.
A few emails back and forth with the buyer and Michelle and I were convinced
the van was sold. We were thrilled it was so easy… a little too easy. I get an
email from the guy saying the money has been transferred from his paypal
account and payment to me is pending until I transfer $1100 to a shipping agent
via western union. It was obviously a scam. Further emails sent from “paypal”
indicated that the money was in my account and that if I don’t pay the $1100
the FBI and Internet world police would be after me. I was really bitter for a
few days, but we were suspicious from the start. Anyhow, we put the van up on
an auction site similar to ebay.
It was fun watching the auction as it was similar to a horse race. The van has been sold for a price that Michelle and I are happy with. It’s gone now and we are homeless. It was really sad watching it drive away, but it’s going to an older couple that will take good care of her.
It was fun watching the auction as it was similar to a horse race. The van has been sold for a price that Michelle and I are happy with. It’s gone now and we are homeless. It was really sad watching it drive away, but it’s going to an older couple that will take good care of her.
Our time spent here in NZ has been a trip of a lifetime. In
fact we know that we’ve seen more of NZ compared to most Kiwi’s. The
adventures, tramps, and sights alone have created some incredible memories, but
it’s the little things that have made our trip extraordinary. We’ve relaxed in
hotpools, dabbled in sea fishing and snorkeling, and exhausted ourselves with
multiday tramps to backcountry huts. We’ve got to experience the good times and
not so good times on fruit orchards. We’ve driven on the wrong side of the road
and spent Christmas on the beach. We've met some interesting people and made some new friends with incredible lives and stories. Michelle became super nanny extraordinaire.
We’ve eaten exotic foods such as sea urchin, abalone, crayfish, pavlova, and
fejoia’s. Living out of a van was an experience never to be forgotten and in
some ways we’ll miss the simplicity of life. This really was a trip of a
lifetime and we feel so lucky to have experienced it. So Cheers New Zealand, you will be missed!
The end of our trip means the blog is complete. We thank you for following and hope it provided you some entertainment. Stay tuned for our next blog; Jeremy and Michelle in OUTER SPACE!
Here is a link to see more pics of our last few weeks:
https://picasaweb.google.com/115853505113135701754/TaranakiAndTongariroNationalParks
https://picasaweb.google.com/115853505113135701754/TaranakiAndTongariroNationalParks
