The days before the Tongariro crossing

24 January: Cathedral Cove

Spent the night at a free camping (only 4 spots available right at the top and we actually got one spot right away)

45 minute walk down to the cove. Beautiful beach! I even went swimming …sooo cold but very refreshing

5 minutes debating whether to walk back or just take the watertaxi – the watertaxi won big times :)

25 January: Rotarua

We watched the sun coming up (Rick got up at 6:25; I got up at 6:30 and went to bed again at 6:40)

Paid a visit to the Hot Water Beach and tried to dig for hot water. Did not work. Next time we need to read the signs: You can only find hot water 2 hours before and 2 hours after the tide. Bummer..

Okere Falls – another heavy hike of approx. 1 minute ;)

In Roturua, the so called Hell’s Gate was the next attraction we paid to see. Sooo cool – the first geothermal activities! …and they smelled badly. It was pretty impressive to see all the hot springs and mud baths.

26 January: Middle of nowhere

Whoop whoop: our first real walk!! 2,5 hours through a Volcanic Park! Amazing nature!

The free camping we discovered for the night could not have been better – right at a lake with real toilets.

27 – 29 January: Lake Taupo

Those two days were really chill. We had a couple of drinks with Clare and Kieran

We just watched the lake and the mountains and got to know great people (again – so thankful)

Listened to Bonny Tyler on the public toilets (there was a festival going on) - total eclipse of the heart lalalalala!

Rick enjoyed the boat race that took place on Sunday.

Thanks Jann and Marc for inviting us!