On land for a few months
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We leave the boat at the Norsand shipyard in Whangarei for a few months and resume our Van expedition through New Zealand.
February 2020
1) We spend a night at Camping Horahora south of Hamilton on lake Waikato.
Camping has no more secrets for us, the table is set, the glasses are full there is only missing the ratatouille that simmers!
2) Tongariro National Park
We had promised ourselves to return to the Tongariro area and the Holiday Park campsite in Whakapapa is ideal to start the 16km hike to the Tama Lakes.
We have our reserved space for a few nights not far from the building that houses the sanitary facilities (hot showers, Hairdryer)
et la salle commune “chauffée”où chacun peut cuisiner à sa guise. Nous apprécions ce “luxe” car les soirées sont assez fraîches.
The hiking trail crosses the forest and then continues on a hilly track exposed in full sun.
Heather and shrubs are burned by the sun and if one does not want to "suffer" the same fate hats and glasses are indispensable. Ces drôles de “maisonnettes” en tôle que l’on croise sur le parcours sont en fait des toilettes sèches…pas mal le ” camouflage”.
We arrive at Lower Tama Lake
against the backdrop of Mt Ruapehu and its two ski areas very busy in winter.
The 1.6km climb that goes to Upper Tama Lake (Lake Superior) has a somewhat steep section on rocky and unstable terrain. The walking stick is very useful!
Another small effort for the final stretch to the top.
Once up there the view is magnificent with Mt Ngauruhoé on the horizon, the deep blue lake and the sun reflecting off the lava slopes.
We do a short pose photos and "sandwiches" before
to leave because the road is long and it is super hot.
3) Forgotten Highway
After staying a few days in the Tongariro area, we return for the second time to the Buschland Campground. The tourist attraction of the region is to travel in small wagons the 80kms of tracks by crossing the 20 tunnels in the most complete darkness. We just cross two on foot for the unusual experience.
4) Mt Taranaki
Taranaki Volcano (2518m) is located in Egmont Park in the southwest of the island. The region is particularly fertile thanks to the abundant rainfall and the rich volcanic land. Dairy cow farming has developed and has become the predominant industry.
Nous allons jusqu’au Camping de Volcanoview et restons deux nuits le temps de nous balader jusqu’aux chutes de Dawson.
Le lendemain nous marchons pendant deux heures sur un sentier sinueux et escarpé qui nous emmène
at the foot of Taranaki Volcano. We go back down the same path and
we enjoy dining warm at the campsite restaurant with a direct view of Mt Taranaki.