I was in Wellington when the quake hit, but the day after I caught a public bus up to a small town on the East coast of the North Island called Napier. Napier is known solely for its art deco architecture. In February of 1931, Napier was hit with a massive 7.8 earthquake which killed at least 256 people and destroyed the entire city. (It was a little strange to be there just a day after the Christchurch quake because of the similarities, almost 80 years to the day...). Anyway, the city had to re-build itself, and because art-deco was very in fashion in the early 30's, the entire town is made up of little art deco masterpieces, all in pastel easter egg colours (very Miami Vice). I stayed in a lovely hostel called the Criterion Art Deco Hostel (see below):
The next day, I headed back to Taupo (the town where I jumped out of a plane a few weeks back). The drive there was pretty interesting because I noticed all the planted trees alongside the highway. It gave me flashbacks to my planting days, as I saw seedlings and trees in all different stages of growth, including, little pods planted down long scarified corridors with what looked like brackies (shudder, shudder).
In Taupo, I headed out to a natural hot spring which was fantastic. The hot spring empties out into a fast moving cold river, so as you sit in the water, you have hot bath temperature water flowing over you on the surface, but on the bottom, it is cold. It makes for a very cool sensation. I spent quite a bit of time there just relaxing (as did others).
The following morning I got on a bus at 5:40am (yuck!) to head to Tongariro national park to do the Tongariro Crossing which is said to be the best 1 day walk in NZ and, one of the best in the world. You may remember that I tried to do the walk about a month ago, but couldn't because the winds were too strong (something like 150km/h!), so I am so happy I got the chance to do it this time. The weather could not have been more perfect either! Blue sky, sunny, warm, not too windy. It was a tough walk though, 19.4km, about 7-8 hours of walking.
I met this lovely local gentleman named Graham at the beginning of the day and did most of the walk with him. Get this: he is about to turn 73 and it was his 18th time doing the crossing! At certain points, I had to tell him to go ahead of me because I had to stop to catch my breath on the steep parts of the climb, but he kept plugging along! He was a great walking partner and gave me some advice about Nepal (he did Everest Base camp 2 years ago!) It was a really wonderful day. I'm sore and tired now, but it was totally worth it for all the views (Mt. Doom from LOTR, red craters, emerald pools etc). I took a bazillion photos, but here are the best (including one of me and Graham, my walking buddy!):
Today, I am just chilling (there is absolutely nothing to do where I am staying) and then tomorrow I head to Auckland for my last two days in NZ. One of them will be spent watching the Oscars (obviously) as it is my favourite day of the year. It will be strange to watch them alone, esp. without my brother Alex, as we make a point to be together for them every year. We have, however entered an internet pool to win quite the prize, so keep your fingers crossed that all of our pics are correct.
March 1st I head to Melbourne, Australia for 2 days, and then on to Kuala Lampur. In Melbourne, I'm going to get together with 2 old friends from high school which should be fun!
Until next time, keep your thoughts and prayers with the people of Christchurch and all those suffering in Northern Africa under a lunatic's control.
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