My 2014 Adventure: Travels to Singapore, Australia & New Zealand: Saturday, May 31

It took us until noon to drive from Waitarere Beach to Tongariro National Park. It’s a remote location in the central part of the north island where Mt Tongariro, Mt Ngauruhoe, and Mt Ruapehu all meet up (all active volcanoes). This area is considered a UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) World Heritage Site, meaning it is a site which signifies outstanding universal value based on its natural heritage. A UNESCO site relevant to the Midwest is Cahokia Mounds, native peoples’ burial sites in Illinois along the Mississippi River. Basically, UNESCO sites are amazing and a big deal and I feel very fortunate to have seen the volcanoes at Tongariro National Park.

We found a spot at the only holiday park in Whakapapa and hiked for a couple hours along Silica Rapids, named for the silica deposits on the Waikare Stream. This walk offers clear views of Mt Ngauruhoe and Mt Ruapehu on a clear day, but due to the clouds it was as if Mt Ruapehu did not exist. Along the walk, Paul was excited at the prospect of coming back onto the track that night to look for kiwi birds. However, as soon as the temperature dropped with the setting of the sun we quickly forgot about bird watching. The next morning was beautiful, not a single cloud was in the blue sky. This weather was perfection for our five hour hike in Tongariro National Park. We took the Taranaki Falls trail and continued on to Tama Lakes. The trail was situated, again, between Mt Ngauruhoe and Mt Ruapehu. Ruapehu was gorgeous, covered in snow against the brilliant blue sky. In contrast, Ngauruhoe sat ominously in the distance, snowless with black rocks. Upon reaching the Lower Tama Lake, we continued on less of a trail and more of a channel in the loose, black, volcanic rock. Suddenly we were meant to ascend up the face of a hill, following what looked like ski poles in a zig-zag pattern. Once we got to the top of that hill, there was another small ascent up to the summit to view the Upper Tama Lake. It was breathtaking to have positioned ourselves smack-dab between two active volcanoes and two blue lakes. We took the obligatory souvenir photographs and carefully walked back down the hill of loose rocks and back on the trail the way we came.

We spent the afternoon driving away from Tongariro and north towards Lake Taupo. We reached the beautiful, clear lake in late afternoon, found a spot to park, and ended up meeting up with some of Paul’s friends from France. Yann and Claire had come to New Zealand to work in a vineyard at Hawke’s Bay. They were so nice and fun to talk to; Paul also enjoyed being able to speak French with people who actually understood what he was saying. (I can't imagine spending a month with someone who doesn't speak the same first language as you; Paul, you're a trooper!) We had wine and a snack at Vine Eatery and then headed to another bar for real food: burgers. By the time we got back to the campervan parking lot there were at least four other Juicy condo vans there. Around 2am, we heard someone try to stick their key into the lock at the back of our van...my guess is someone was drunk and forgot where they parked. Overall, a very nice time in Taupo!