Monthly Archives: February 2006

Last full day in NZ

Alright, it’s my last full day in New Zealand! How quickly the last 6 weeks have gone by. I’m quite sad to be leaving actually. Though at the same time, I’m anxious to get home, see my friends and share stories. We’re in Rotorua all day today and will be trying to catch the Super Bowl somewhere in town. My flight leaves here tomorrow at 7pm!

I arrive back in San Francisco on Tuesday at 10:15AM! (Interestingly enough, while I was having lunch on Mt. Ngauruhoe, another couple came by who were also from San Francisco. Small world!)

Anyway… internet use here is incredibly expensive! Time to go.

So long New Zealand.

Best Hike *EVER*

About after about 9 and a half hours of hiking today, we completed the Tongiriro Crossing. It’s the best hike I’ve ever done. I took *200* pictures today and have no way to upload them. Grr!

Anyway, I am quite wiped out. It’s currently 10:43 PM and we got back about an hour ago. Time for bed.

(3 more days in New Zealand!!)

Lake Taupo and Tongariro Crossing

Alright, we’re currently staying outside of Tongariro National Park at the backpackers hostel located there. It is quite an awesome place. We played volleyball with a few people earlier this evening and then did some rock climbing (this place has it’s own rock climbing gym! Awesome!).

Tomorrow we are going to hike the world famous Tongariro Crossing, which is roughly 20 kilometers in length. Among the highlights will be climbing Mount Ngauruhoe (famously known as Mount Doom from the Lord of the Rings movies). Apparently, we actually have a beautiful shot of it from our bedroom window. Unfortunately, it’s been cloudy! (Supposed to be cloudy tomorrow too! Grrr!).

Also, I haven’t been able to upload photographs I’ve taken lately due to the fact that most computers I’ve encountered have lacked the proper USB connections. So I might just have to wait until I get home next week.

Anyway, things are going swell! I’ll write more soon.