National Park 2

Wow what a day. We got taken to the start of the crossing at 7 in the morning and started walking taking a number of photos of the amazing scenery. We were told that if you kept a good pace you could climb the large volcano but it was a tough climb but instead you could climb Mount Tongariro as another side project but only about one in ten of these experienced hikers ever did that with only about one in a hundred doing the volcano. Colin wanted us to do the volcano. After we climbed the Devil's staircase, a tough hours long staircase climb, I was thinking we would just stick to the crossing. In the end we compromised for climbing Mount Tongariro.

At the top of Mount Tongariro I met Santa Claus and his wife on a bit of a hike before the busy season ahead!

We returned then to do the rest of the crossing passing a massive red crater and sliding down scree to three emerald lakes. We then had lunch at a big bright duck egg blue lake. Finally we turned the corner to see a view of Lake Taupo and all it's surrounds.

That is the details but what is really hard to describe are the views we experienced. It was like being on a few different planets. Completely breathtaking and just when you thought what you had seen was the most amazing sight in your life another view would trump it. Each little part of the crossing would have tourists coming for miles in Ireland.
The walk was tough and I feel now like all the jet lag has hit me at once with legs like jelly but at the time you are so hypnotised by the views you don't care. Best experience so far.

Found out from Aideen there were earthquakes in Christchurch (we were blissfully unaware) so hoping our hostel is still standing there!