Day 12: Turangi (Tongariro Alpine Crossing) - Taumarunui

4.2.2019

The rooster crows early today,

but getting up is no trouble for us.

It's 5 a.m., is that true?,

but our senses are already clear as the sun.

A muesli with bananas in the dark,

'Today we need power,' you hear them murmur.

Ready at 6 a.m. for the pick-up,

but the shuttle takes some time.

Full of energy we start at 7 a.m.,

the sunrise and the morning atmosphere are fabulous.

Slowly we go uphill,

but that hardly takes our breath away.

Through moon landscape and volcanic area,

something that Swiss people rarely see.

Mordor from 'The Lord of the Rings' was filmed here,

our rings luckily remained unharmed.

Now imagine being a hobbit,

the volcano so high and Frodo so small.

We did not discover Gollum,

he was probably hiding in his cave.

At 10 a.m. we are at almost 2000 meters on the summit,

below us crater lakes, Lake Taupo and fir tree tops.

1000 meters of altitude down again,

fit and lively after sandwiches and chocolate.

Surfing down scree slopes and enjoying the view,

we could almost shed a tear of joy.

The adventure and the 20 km are accomplished,

the crossing in 6.5 instead of 8.5 hours.

Camping: Taumarunui Holiday Park