Tongorira Crossing

We hitch hiked out of town and were picked up after 2km. We were 3 to start, but after convincing the Brazilian that it would be better for her to hitch alone we were two. It worked. She drove by waving at us, not in passing, but in to hurry up and get in the car. We made the 75km ride with Chris, a local hiking guide to our destination. We gleaned as much as we could and were dropped off at the trail head, heading in the opposite direction of most of the tourists to avoid the masses. It was fantastic. The 20km hike took us through lush Beech and Manuka trees up to sub-alpine brush to moon-like landscapes with aqua-marine pools. The hike wound us through three active volcanoes; twice voted as an International Heritage Site. The walk was fantastic, the views breath taking and scenery quite outer worldly. We finished the day getting by-passed from the dirt parking lot as everyone thought more of dinner and zooming past us like we didn't exist instead of giving us a lift. After 6km down the dirt road a good ol' Kiwi picked us up and drove us part of the way out and then down the highway. Hopping out we found another ride with a farmer towing a baling device. He had one leg, well two, one prosthetic and one real. I sat shotgun and watched in awe and admiration as he drove with his real left leg, fake right leg tucked nicely between the car door and his seat. It was something and a bit longer story, but we made it back to town safely and plan on leaving tomorrow for Rotorua.