Picked up ‘Long Black’ coffee and some donuts at a local weekend market stall then wandered south of Rotorua for a morning swim in natural hot stream of Kerosene Creek. We managed to beat the crowds and so got a chance to wade in the heated water to ourselves in the peaceful wilderness near a small waterfall.
Refreshed, we headed back on the road for about an hour to the downtown of Taupo, on the edge of the largest volcanic explosion ever – although 26,500 years ago. On the way we stopped at Craters of the Moon and Huka Falls. The city has an very walkable downtown district, so we ordered some Thai take-away and then meandered through some shops while it was being prepared.
Armed with lunch we drove on to a small spot where we could look upon Tongariro National Park. There are three peaks: Mount Tongariro, Nguruhue, and Ruehpa. It is very quickly apparent which one was the primary `Mount Doom` in Lord of the Rings. The youngest, Mount Nguruhue has a single cone and a nearly perfect overall conical shape, and a very dark shell. When we first arrived clouds obscured the peak, but while hiking the short Ridge Track the clouds cleared and we were awarded stunning views of the volcano.
Corrie felt it necessary to offer her ring to the mountain. No more ring to rule us all? But like Isildor, I prevented her from giving up the power – or was I Gollum?
While driving through the hills of lower North Island we were struck by our constant problem of having to stop and enjoy the spectacular views as we crested hillsides and descended ridges. It really is getting difficult to get anywhere in a reasonable amount of time.
It was getting late and we still had a way to go on one of our heavy travel days. Late afternoon we headed back on Route 4 South, stopping to have a bit of fun shopping for food, wine, and essential supplies at a ‘Countdown’ and ‘the Warehouse’. One such supply was a quick water boiler and coffee for that morning fix. It was then a straight-shot to Wellington for the evening.