This morning was the earliest start of the trip yet. We were getting picked up at 0530 to do the Tongoriro Crossing, supposedly one of the best single day walks in the world. It had better be after getting up so early. After a rather rapid bus ride we set off from the car park at 0720 and started our ascent of devils staircase. At the top of this climb there was an optional detour only up Mt Ngauruhoe (the volcano they used as Mt Doom in Lord of the Rings), standing at 2300m we thought easy, we can do that!!! 2 hours later we had nearly reached the top. Who would have thought it would be that difficult. We stopped for a while at the top, took some photos and started our descent. This was much quicker as you just had to bounce your way down the scree. The rest of the walk was somewhat more gentile. I hope that the pictures to the landscape justice, we had to resize them to upload. By the end of the day we were shattered and promptly fell asleep on the bus on the way back. Then the bus driver bought us all an ice-cream, how thoughtful. That was about it for Friday. Saturday was nearly with us and we were really looking forward to the inevitable aches and pains.
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