The Tongariro Crossing was fantastic, you actually walk through craters that were made from volcanic activity and the crossing itself is situated in the most active volcanic areas with Mount Ruapehu being the highest and most active. Probably a good thing not to mention that until after we had finished the walk!
A little hobbit
Craters
More craters
The next stop was Rotorua which is nicknamed 'sulphur city' as it has the most energetic thermal areas in New Zealand with bubbling mud pools, gurgling hot springs, gushing geysers and horrible smells! We couldn't get used to the smell and I don't know how people live in the city as the smell is really overpowering.
a colourful steam pool
After all the smells we headed up to the Coromandel Pennisula which is known for beautiful beaches and clear blue waters. It really was beautiful and we saw the famous Cathedral Cove which is a gigantic arched cavern that is only accessible at low tide. This is where Gav flung himself into the sea for a swim and when he got out discovered he had the car keys in his pocket!!! That would have been interesting had they fallen out into the sea....
Beautiful sea
Cathedral Cove
With our last days in site we decided to head for the Bay of Islands and took in the North West coast famous for the huge Kauri forests. The Kauri trees are just massive, our jaws dropped when we saw them. The second largest tree had a girth of 16.41metres and a total height of 29.9metres. The largest tree had a girth of 13.8metres which is a bit smaller but his height is 51.5metres. Massive or what?!
Twin Kauri's, these ones are quite small though with a girth of 6metres each
The Bay of Islands were lovely and we saw the oldest stone house in New Zealand which was built in 1835, so not that old by Scottish standards. The Bay of Islands is named this as it is dotted with around 150 islands. We climbed a hill called St Paul's Rock and had the most magnificant view of some of these islands. The beauty of the place was amazing and you felt like you were alone in the world taking in the beautiful scenary. It was the perfect end to our New Zealand trip.
We hope you are all doing well.
5 comments:
Gavin vs. the tree...
The tree wins for sure!
Great pics and stories. I guess your guide book didn't tell you about the beach clientelle in NZ? Ho ho ho.
You're welcome to stay over at our place when you return. The seats in the Mini recline all the way back and it has both air con and a heater!
Look forward to seeing/reading more of your travels.
LS
Hi Jess and Gav
I love reading about your journey and experiences. I loved the story about the wee calf getting stuck....poor wee thing. I also sympathise with you trying to put up a tent in the pouring rain is no fun. We have done that many a time in Scotland!!!!
Jess I did not get the email that you sent to me at SFEU, not sure why it did not get through. Anyway just to update you, I have left SFEU (at end of March) to have a little bit of time to myself and to spend some time with our new puppy Jack (a 9mth old Springer Spaniel).
Canada was great, the skiing was fantastic and we did some scary glacier skiing in deep powder. Such fun.
Take care and carry on enjoying your selves
Jill
I finally have caught up on your adventures...might regret it a wee bit though as that familiar pang of jealousy comes back! Doh! ...Love you!xxx PS.The mightey wrightey is back!
Hey Jill
That is ashame you didn't get the email I sent, I thought it was strange that you didn't reply. Have you got another email address now? If you do please send it to jessmckinley@hotmail.co.uk
We will have to compare camping stories when I get back!! That is great you have a new puppy, I bet he has lots of energy. Gav is hinting about getting a dog when we get home.. he has fallen in love with this black lab of our friends.
The mightey wrightey is back! Fantastic, love you too.
xx
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