The author has awakened... the mountain is calling...

Day 29 - 10/9/23

True to our motto “The journey is the destination”, we take a lot of time for the journeys. There is a lot to see and learn. Geyser Park offers a true splendor of colors. We had the park almost entirely to ourselves for about an hour because the other tourists rushed to a provoked geyser fountain...

At the end of our tour we talked to a steward and, since elections are currently underway in NZ, we are of course interested in what issues we have here - and lo and behold - the income gap and the affordability of housing, as well as the low incomes of low-income earners We are also very familiar with the population.

When we looked at the results of the state elections in Hesse and Bavaria, the mood was somewhat depressed. The Germans' massive education problem has long been reflected here. It's not the smart people who decide a choice, but unfortunately the stupid people who don't understand anything. And the diabolical ones know how to take advantage of the stupid ones.

But what is all this compared to what Ukraine or Israel must experience….

Day 30 - 10/10/23

We go on a 2.5-hour hike with wonderful views - including the Taranaki Waterfall and Mount Doom - Mount Ngauruhoe - into which Frodo threw the ring...

Since the weather didn't cooperate, we couldn't attempt the planned difficult climb with the gondola to Mount Ruapehu and returned to base camp.