I can't take it anymore!!! The beauty, I mean =]

Brellowgirl
Nov 20, 2015
3 min read

11.18.15

Today we conquered the Tongariro Alpine Crossing!!! We headed out to catch the 7:30am bus that took us to the base of the mountain. I started with so many layers including a jacket and about 20 minutes in we all had to stop and take off our outer layers because we were all sweating already. The terrain was crazy. It was so dry looking but the rocks were damp and there was moss growing on them. It was freezing in the morning and misty when we were at the base. It was overcast and all we hoped for is that it would clear up so we’d have some great views once we got to the peak. The crossing goes over active volcanic terrain and there were some areas where we could see heat coming off the rocks and they were very warm to the touch. Mt. Tongariro, Mt. Ngauruhoe and Mt, Ruapehu can all be seen in my pictures and they were so beautiful with the little bits of snow and ice on their caps leftover from winter. We took some amazing pictures and helped each other out a lot throughout the day. In total it was 22 kilometers (about 13 miles), an altitude of over 6,000 feet, lots of stairs (devil’s staircase was not nice to climb) and whipping winds that hurt my face and made my fingers feel like they were going to flick off. The views from the peak, however, were priceless. The second I got to the top and could see the Emerald Lakes everything was right in the world. The blue was such a beautiful shade I couldn’t even believe it. It’s probably due to all the minerals that are in the water. The hardest part for me was the initial climb down from the summit. All the ash was loose and I kept of slipping but Kunal had my back-literally-he was holding my backpack lol. It was the first real real hike I’ve done and it did not disappoint in the least bit. I’m pooped even though it’s only 8:30. We have to leave early to drive back to Auckland so I’m going to bed.

11.19.15

Sorry if the above doesn’t make sense, I was half asleep when I was writing that last night. Today we left Tongariro and drove back to Auckland to catch a flight to Queenstown. The flight over Queenstown was one of the most amazing sights I’ve ever seen. It was all snow capped mountains and beautiful blue lakes. Kunal found the most amazing air bnb for the four of us that has a freaking spectacular view of the Remarkables-a mountain chain right across Lake Wakatipu. We were pretty much dumbfounded when we walked in and spent a good hour taking pictures of the view, enjoying it and getting ready for dinner. We went into town for dinner (5 min drive) and ate at this beautiful place recommended to us by our driver. It was called Blue Kanu and they had Polynesian Asian-fusion dishes. Alyssa and I split a kung pao tempeh dish with green tea soba noodles and it was super yum. Sweet ambiance and awesome live music. We did a little bar hopping afterwards and called it a night shortly after. I can’t explain to you how beautiful it is here so I’m going to stop writing and just put up a bunch of pictures for you all to see. Catch you soon!

Much love,

Cas