Rolling green hills and steaming sulfuric geothermic activity. Lord of the Rings filming sets, hot spring and mountains. Central North Island of New Zealand has all of this. When I was in NZ previously I had an amazing last week of my stay traveling towards Auckland in my rental car. I stopped where I could and tried to sulk in all I could see before departure.

A spot that was very special to me was a natural hot spring that is hidden among the bush and off the beaten path. Somewhere between Rotorua and Taupo. This was the Waterfall Bath. A hot spring that felt like bathwater. There was a waterfall at one end that had a boulder placed right below, where you could sit and receive a massage from the water. Truly a magical place.

Traveling with a partner is so different in many ways, and I have come to love it. Before, I would have an amazing time and try to explain the experience but it would never really translate as how INCREDIBLE it was. When you are able to share these special moments with another, it brings you and that human so much closer.

Around Taupo there are other hot baths and we got to frequent one called Butchers Pool. This was a local hot spot, lucky for us when we would visit it would be nearly empty!

Imagine a giant wooden bath, outside, like the romans would use. This was Butcher Pools. Green grass and trees all around, warm turquoise waters from the Waikato River and geothermic activity. Coming here, or to any waters with Maori history is very cleansing.

What brought us to Taupo was not only adventure but to do another HelpX, which turned out to be one of the best! We helped at a Bed and Breakfast, it is spring so we did a lot of spring gardening and cleaning. From weed-eating, mowing and fighting with ivy the work was quite enjoyable. This property was vast and you would get lost just picking up sticks. The Waikato river was right along the property as well, you could just get transfixed into the rushing turquoise and blue waters.

It was here where I was able to meet a wonderful human - Tineke! Tineke responded to my post on the backpackers board about giving haircuts in the area. She responded on a Thursday, and we planned to cut her hair on Saturday.

This Friday Michael and I were doing our first trek - the Tongariro Crossing! This would be a long day - 20k from one end to the other up mountains and down.

Funny enough whilst on the trek we would be stopped whist climbing the devils staircase by no-one other than….Tineke! She recognized me from my photo and what a small world to be doing the same trek at the same time!

The night before a long trek my thoughts in bed typically consist of, “wait, why am I doing this?” And “haw am I going to do this?” “What have I gotten myself into?!” Also the automatic internal alarm that wakes you ever hour until the actual alarm - 4:30 A.M.

The tongariro Alpine crossing, hands down the most challenging trek I have done yet! 1900 Meters of climbing 20km of track in 8 hours. From the hot sun to the snow and windy ice caps - I n c r e d i a b l e.

When approaching a climb you question yourself, your mind says, “You can’t” - well let me say - the moment you reach the top you say, “HAH! Don’t say I can’t because I AM and I Can!”

I am grateful to have such an amazing partner, we accomplish a lot as a team. Blisters, sweat, wipe outs - everything. Tongariro Alpine Crossing was something I could never forget - the Emerald lakes, the Mountains the sulfuric smells, the V I E W S. I will say, you must do this when in New Zealand. You Can!

At the BnB there was a lack of wifi, which mostly was nice but somewhat frustrating, but mostly nice. Michael and I were able to connect, joke, play cards and sing Shania Twain…” bum bum, I feel like a woman!”

October was a busy month. From arrival to the country, 2 HelpX stays, teaching GKHair classes and all the emotions with being in a new country. None the less, the adventure is adventurous.

Xoxo

Taupo&Tongariro.