Journal Entries

Beautiful black sand beach on west coast NZ

Top of the waterfall - at this point of the hike we hadn’t seen it yet (will post its pics next week). The hike is a loop in which there is a high trail through the volcanic mountainside with views over the flatland, and a low trail through trees along the river. We choose to start on the high trail and descend, making it an easier hike (or tramp as they call it here).

Lots of cool volcanic rock that has spewed out of the nearby volcanoes over the years. This is on the way to a waterfall, but the waterfall pics won’t get uploaded until our return to Bangkok as they are on the camera and not the phone.

The trails so far in New Zealand (called tracks here) are very well built and maintained, with lots of boardwalks that protect natural areas from getting ruined.

The waterfall hike went over varied terrain, including some forest.

So, we were really hoping to ski Mt. Ruepehu, but only two lifts (beginners) open, so hiking instead. It’s an incredibly gorgeous volcanic area.

Part of one of our hikes went through some gorgeous forest

Jeff and I at Taranaki Falls, Tongariro National Park

Taranaki Falls, Tongariro National Park

Cannot express enough how grateful I am to have had this opportunity to escape three years of constant heat and humidity to enjoy the freezing winter weather for 10 days! Crazy that I ended up with a rash and achy joints - think the sudden cold made my body rebel!