Bus Tour - Taupo to Auckland for the last time

This was my last day on the bus tour. Jumping on the bus from Taupo to Auckland was not as exciting as the other buses. Majority of people are headed south. So I slept pretty much the whole trip. We stopped in Hobbiton again. Took a picture with Gandalf.



This was my trusty backpack that cost me $4 and survived from the time i bought it, sometime in September, til the end of my trip.




So this was the map of New Zealand that I followed for November. I started at the Top in Auckland for two days then took a bus down to Wellington. I stayed in Wellington for 3 months. Then for my final month I did the Kiwi Experience and explored the country.
I couldn't of had a better trip. So many good and bad things happened. I don't regret a thing.
Until my next trip.

Cheers!

Bus Tour - Taupo

This day occurred before the Tongariro Crossing, I just forgot about it. A bunch of people on the bus did the underwater caves and glowworm adrenaline stuff. Since i had done just the glow worm caves i was satisfied and also out of $$$. Luckily our bus driver took us to this nice cave bush walk.























Yes I am trying to be Gollum here.

Bus Tour - Taupo Take 3 [Tongariro Crossing]

Very very very very early.



Yes the moon is still out at 5:40 am.



1 hour bus ride .... excellent, must sleep.







Here we go.













That wasn't do bad.



Soda Springs.... done and done.





The hill before the "Devil's staircase"















Yes we are over 15000 ft above sea level and there is ice crystals just under the first layer of dirt.





After 1 hour and a half of constant incline of evil know as the "devil's staircase" we made it to the South Crater.





It's a bit chilly.





Well hello Mount Doom....how you doin?















Yes, these Volcanoes we are on are still active.





So active that the ground was steaming in some areas.





Red Crater



Emerald Lakes



I thought these lakes would be uber hot but turns out because we are so high up they are freezing cold.



Climbing down this hill was really fun. there was about half a foot of loose rubble, so going down it was like skiing. Go down one angle then switch...so on and so forth. I fell 3 times :D



The steamy areas where pretty but smelt like sulfur. Definitely not the place to stop for lunch.







Hard not to resist.







Blue Lake











I can't believe I was still alive here.













This is the hut we chilled at for lunch.



I look a little hysterical here. I think it might of been the thin air or the endorphins kicking in.





















Almost there :D