Kiwi chat (working draft)

I've been in New Zealand just over 4 months now. I love picking up on the words this small nation of people use. I've marked this post as a working draft because I'm still collecting the lingo.

First off, let me introduce some phrases which I like to use. It can be an exchange. Language change happens everyday. Pass it on!

- What's the chat? What's goin on? What's happening?
- Pal Friend. They don't really use this here. I'm bringing it here. Thank you to Glasgow for the influence.
- Wee shame Aw, that's a little bit unfortunate.
- Rubbish Not good.
- Ace Very good.

Kiwi chat, let's start with the basics:
- Choice
Used as an exclamation of appreciation, or to describe something that's really good
Those shoes are choice!

- Mean
Same as above. Really cool, good
I had a mean weekend eh!

- Sweet as! I like this one, sweet as... what??
1. Great,
I made you a cup of tea
Aw, sweet as!

2. No worries
How much do I owe you for petrol?
It's sweet as, don't worry!

- Adjective as 
You can pretty much use any adjective with 'as' for extra emphasis, to intensify the meaning
Yup, keen as
Oh mate, I'm sleepy as

- Eh
I've seen some funny spelling variations of  this. Some people spell it 'aye' but coming from Scotland, I'm just not buying it. They are big fans of building rapport here when chatting. This along with the rising intonation towards the end of phrases, i.e. sounds like they are asking questions the whole time but they're not (always).
Good party eh!

- Bro
Brother, friend, mate. Can be used for both sexes.
Sweet as, bro!

- Chur I've also seen this doubled up, chur chur
Cheers, thanks
Chur bro!

- Oh yup
An acknowledgement. Like, yes, yup, or oh yeah.
Oh yup!

- Yeh, nah, yeh...
Means yes. I think it's like a, oh I'm deciding, yeah go on, yeah.
Do you want a cup of tea?
Yea, nah, yeh...

- Yeh, nah
I'm not sure about that
Yeh, nah...

- Stink
Rubbish, or bad.
I just got soaked walking home
Oh stink!
I can't get use to this one. You'll hear like 40 year old men say this: Anywhere else in the world you wouldn't hear anyone over 4yrs old say this.

- Stink buzz
Rubbish chat, bad vibes
Oh, stink buzz!
I just heard this one for the first time the other night. I think it's horrendous.

- Dumb 
Stupid, rubbish
My flatmates won't let me get a cat
Oh dumb!
This is quite similar to stink, I can't get used to it.

Work chat

- Flick me a txt/ email
Send me a txt
Yup, just flick me a txt when you're ready
I'm not a fan of 'flick', flick me a txt- flick yourself a txt!

- Dominated 
Really busy, owned
I was dominated at work today, didn't finish til 8
Kiwis are always talking about how much they're being dominated. They love it.

Other

- Heaps- this is not exclusively NZ but they do use it excessively here
Lots, loads
I took heaps of photos last night

- Park
A parking space
I'm looking for a park, keep an eye out for a park

- Dairy
Corner shop, newsagent or convenience store

- Togs
Boardshorts, swim wear

- Jandals
Flip flops

I'll be listening out for more, or if you have any suggestions, send them my way!
Chur!

The Loft, yoga studio, Auckland

I've done quite a few yoga session since I left on my travels in September.

From a studio set in the serene surrounding of paddy fields and beautifully fresh air, in Ubud, to an air conditioned studio in one of Singapore's many, many malls.  The world class instructors make up for the lack of atmosphere in the latter.  But all in all, it's been pretty good, and varied.

I have found a nice wee studio in Auckland.  It's called The Loft but I'm pretty certain there is another floor above it.  Anyways, for $17 ($14 for students) you get a 75 min yoga session, dinner AND dessert.  Absolute treat!  It's all vegan food so it's all round goodness.

Monday's Vinyasa class is worth checking out.  It's in the smaller room so only fits like 12 people but it's great, and a bit more challenging which I like.  Miki teaches this class.  She is a quirky Japanese girl who effortlessly demonstrates some positions, and says things like 'if you've never done this position before... watch the person in front of you' for others.  Lucky the person in front of me knew what they were doing.  I'm still trying to learn all the different names.  The small room is literally 6 mats wide, and 2 deep.  Intimate.  I like it.

Tuesday's Ashtanga class is good too.  Miki again.  I've been a few times, and the class size seems to vary a lot.  It's in the larger room. The first time I went, it was packed out, I think someone even had a mat in the changing room at the back! I wasn't a fan of the crowded class at first, thinking they were packing too many people in but I kinda forgot about it throughout the practise, and I've been back since so all good.  Second time, the class was a better size.  Heaps of sun salutations, balancing poses, stretches.  A good balance, and at a decent pace too.  Mat hire is free, and there's loads of blankets for relaxation at the end.  THEN it's dinner time.

Food food food.  Vegan isn't a lifestyle I have ever really considered.  I've done a vegetarian challenge but never vegan.  Every time I've been to the Loft though they've cooked up something different (from the last time), and tasty, and it all seems pretty simple too.  Portion sizes are huge.  They make these delicious chocolate brownies but without the chocolate.  They use carob.  I hadn't even heard of carob before but it's tasty as.  A tasty vegan friendly chocolate alternative!  I kinda joked that the girl next to me got a bigger piece than me, and she was like, we can swap, I like the corner slabs anyway, and that made me go hmm maybe the corner slab is better, maybe I'll keep it.  I ended up with both pieces cos she was so full after dinner, hahah.  Treat!  Hopefully carob is good the next day too.

I believe Wednesday, Thursdays are hatha classes, I've not tried them yet but the website will tell you more about the classes.

See you there!

http://www.theloft.org.nz/

NEXT: I'm keen to try Bikram yoga, and also laughing yoga.  I'll be back.

flip flops

Playing behind a waterfall in the Botanical gardens, Singapore

Rain rain rain wind rain wind wind rain rain. I don't know what it is but when it's raining I just want to hide inside.

I had the time of my life traveling through Asia. Flip flopping around. I got to Australia. Welcome to Australia. Thrown right back into the city- wow this is the first time I've worn shoes in 5 months, I thought. Very upsetting. Thrown back to the city, Melbourne, where girls walk around in high heels during the day. 20 something degrees. Crazy chat. No, not into that at all.

Of course the locals can get away with it. They are used to it.

Meanwhile, back to flip flops. So its rain rain raining. I pop my shoes in a bag, and wear my flips flops to walk into work. People are always like, ah your feet are getting wet. My feet are getting wet but they will dry once I get inside. If I wear shoes in the rain, my shoes are going to get wet, and my feet will be wet all day. All day, my brothers. Just think about that. Is that good stuff I'm sharing or just an idea that only makes sense to me?!?

I would loves boots but again not very practical for backpacking. Heavy. Welly boots are fun but not really socially acceptable in the city eh. Wee shame.

Don't say I'm not nice to you. Spread the word !

Flip flop tan lines

No couple please.

Hello blog, how are you? I've been thinking about you a lot lately. Sorry for neglecting you but you will be happy to hear that I now have a fuckingplacetolive! CHECK that off the to do list. Yeahhhhh!

Phewww, it was a stressful time. I got a mouth ulcer from the stress. It was under my tongue. Can you imagine? Oh, the pain. I thought it was some sort of mouth cancer from a build up of 'social' cigarettes that I seem to like to smoke now and again. I couldn't do anything about it. I don't think they have Bonjela here so I just had to deal with it and find a flat.

I have always shared flats with friends. If you don't count student halls in 1st year of uni. Halls aren't really flats though. So yeah, I have always shared with friends. Here I was in NZ, checking the trademe website everyday for flat listings. For about a week I was just looking at the 'Featured first' drop down which are the listing that people pay extra for because its the default search. I felt pretty stupid when I discovered there was a 'Latest listings' option, and tens of more flats showed up. I felt really stupid actually but at least I knew I could start to properly look for a flat now.

I was clicking on listings based on the photos, and the price. Then you read the ad, and txt the person and in 140 characters try and make yourself interesting or memorable enough to be asked to come and view the flat. Actually phone calls would make things more direct and less like a 140 character life story but I'm not made of money so sometimes it would have to be txts. Then you go and view the flat, and in 10/15 minutes try and make yourself seem like a nice person to live with.

There's a real power imbalance. You're trying to make a good impression but really all they've given you is:

- Medium sized room, $160 a week, $25 for bills which includes electricity, water, internet and flat stuff like toilet paper

- Room is unfurnished but the rest of the flat is furnished so you just need your bedroom stuff

- Looking for someone whose laid back and tidies up after themselves.

- Don't want a party animal but someone who enjoys a vino or two after work.

- Smokers ok. No pets.

- No couples.

SO boring. And all the ads are like this. The only advantage they have is their flat! A huge advantage sure but a lot of the time, THEIR chat was rotten. I really should have just txt them after, 'Nah, yeah, nahhh'.

I actually asked which one of my current flatmate wrote the ad cos it had things like, looking for a woman; no couples unless you are completely illiterate (they had some turn up for the viewing). Lots of weirdos apparently. They thought one of the girls I know was a drug fiend just from 10 mins. First impressions, eh. EH.

My room is great. I have a bed (which I have only half paid for so far- thanks Gabby), and I got a clothes rail at the weekend there. So, I have my own room but still living out a backpack. No bad !!! No couples. No mouth ulcers. Happy.

----

I am living in a house but apparently it is called a flat because I'm staying with people I don't know. For me a flat is an apartment with several floors above or below it. Although saying that, I have been referring to my new temp home as a flat this whole time. Hm. Discuss.

TO DO

busy busy bumble bee

and yes, I do realise I did a horrific job transcribing 'choice'. Without sounding like a booze hound, I blame the rum. I think it should be more like /tʃɔɪs/.

I've not really adopted 'choice' though. (the font has changed??)

I like 'sweet as'. Sweet as, what?

Sweet as, whatever you like.

'its pretty much just hippies, and people who want to get laid'

Couchsurfing.

I think its one of those things people have heard of but not sure if they would ever try. I was the same. Word of mouth is one of the most powerful forms of marketing, people like to talk, people value what their friends have to say. I used my friend, Graham's, opinion as the title of this blog.

I have to admit, he didn't really sell it to me.

How I came to discover couchsurfing was when I was in Fiji. I met Jukey, an ex army guy from America who also happened to be traveling to Auckland after Fiji. We spent a couple of days together exploring, and as he was leaving for NZ before me, I asked him which hostel he was staying in. Maybe as a recommendation, or just to hook up with him again for more traveling. He introduced me to the concept of couchsurfing. Even though I had heard alot about couchsurfing, I hadn't actually spoken to someone who had hosted/ surfed, and well, Jukay did a good job selling it to me. People value what their friends have to say.

'What, so, when you head out to work, do they leave with you for the day, or do you give them a key? How does it work? Do you lock up your stuff?' I asked.

And he said, 'No, actually. I don't lock up my stuff haha. I guess you just have to trust people.'

I was like wow, and I signed up to the site the next day. I still wasn't sure whether I would try it but I signed up to see what it was all about. As a Couchsurfing member, you have a profile page, and you state whether you are hosting, surfing, or traveling. It is based on a reference system so its like feedback. People write that you are awesome/ rubbish to have around, etc. So from these references, and from what someone has written about themselves on their page, you can build an idea of what that person is like.

I was quite keen to see if Jukay's host had space for me on the nights Jukay was staying. Just so I had someone I knew to freak out with haha, but his couches were all full. I did end up staying in a hostel for a week or so but I figured since I was hanging around Auckland for a bit that I should try and meet some locals. Get some of their insight into the city, and not just the generic touristy stuff. This is what I love best about the couchsurfing concept. Traveling through SE Asia, my best experiences were ones where the locals let me in, and gave me a taste of their everyday life. You can't beat that.

I sent off a few requests. Got a few declines. I didn't have any references, and well, I hadn't ever written a request to someone to sleep on their couch before. What do you write?!? It felt pretty good, getting my first accept haha. I was nervous but his picture looked nice. Looks do count.

So my first host... (Hi John!) I told you I would write about you!! First of all, he was shorter than I thought he would be. I can't stop meeting short boys in Auckland apparently. I had a friend I could txt to say I was safe, and it was sweet as. After 7 months traveling, it was like, back to reality. John would wake up at like 530 to get to the gym before work, and I wouldn't see him until like 6 in the evening. I would say he was one of my first friends in Auckland. I think people often just surf a couch, and then move on but we kept in touch cos we're cool like that.

I've met some really good people through the site. Within like a week of signing up, I had organised to go away on a weekend with couchsurfers. I managed to hook up a ride down to Coromandel, and I spent the weekend hanging out with people I'd never met before. It was crazy, and probably would have never met these locals or went on a trip like that if I had stayed in a hostel. A week after that, I was doing the Tongariro Crossing with people who put up an ad on couchsurfing. One of the girls from the Coromandel trip, Sarah, was friends with the girl doing the Tongariro Crossing so it wasn't a completely random.

'For some reason I wasn't so worried about going on a road trip...' I said.

'What if we kidnapped you?'

Huh. I didn't think about that I admitted, haha. I did feel more easy about going on the trip after Sarah said her friend was cool. References.

My experiences have been good so far. I've met some sweet people from all over the world, and locals. Learnt some new words in several different languages. Practised my High school German. (I am getting good- and phrases like, how much pocket money do you get per month; do you have pets? are ACE. they are only useless if you make them useless!! actually if I asked an 11yr old German these questions they would probably think I was crazy). I got a job through couchsurfing! Getting pretty good at frisbee. Been to some real local places. Co founded Merlot Monday (this shit is goin to take off). Sharing stories. Made friends to visit from loads of countries around the world. Living life!

www.couchsurfing.org

Ahh, yeah. My mum did freak out when I told her I was surfing with a 40yr old man. I don't think the site will ever shake the sex party vibe off but it happens so I guess Graham was right in a way. Some people will host you to try and hook up with you- I didn't sign up for this shit you tell them, or you might be into that.

You pick your own experiences.

Photo Thursday

I have been slacking with my blog which is a real shame because I have a lot to talk about. I have a real life job now here in Auckland. Communications Manager. Oh yeah! Marketing stuff, is that a fancy way of saying marketing? Not sure. It has kinda taken over my life, but not really. The last 7 months have kinda been just one big weekend so its good to be back working...

After the longest time, my working holiday visa finally came through. I had to get a chest x-ray because I had spent 3 months of more in TB countries on my way here. Fair enough. I got the original one in Melbourne but of course the radiologist didn't do his paperwork correctly so this meant more time, and more money and lots of waiting! But finally, I can legally work here.

It was granted on the date of my original flight home... Weird, right?

Indoor netball

I found it quite funny when I found out that guys play netball here in NZ. In the UK, it's one of those female only sports, like synchronised swimming? Do men compete in synchronised swimming!?? I don't think so. Not traditionally anyway.

My friend Mark plays with his work every week, and he invited me along because they needed a female player. I love team sports, and it had been about 13 years since I last played netball... In my school team. We were a great team though. We even won a medal. I left my netball career on a high.

I discovered a week or so previous that Mark's car has some overheating problem so I was ready for the smoking bonnet. It just added to the pre game nerves. I told him to fill it up with water before he came to get me but he said he didn't have time so I kept my eye on the temperature gauge. It started edging up to H so I pointed this out to Mark with my arms out in front of me bracing myself for the windscreen to implode. I'm a scaredy cat, yep but I also like to take precaution. You can't play netball if you have broken glass in your face. I don't even know what happens if the engine overheats too much - would it just stop working, or would it make a small boom? Anyways, to solve the problem, Mark just turns off the engine so we are coasting down the hill, he's laughing and assuring me we're nearly there. Very good. I'm freaking out.

We pull into the car park, and get out to hear the car sighing a big sigh of relief in a smokey kinda phewww way. It's too hot to put water in now so we decide to do it after the game.

There was two courts in this big hall, both netted off, and sure enough there were guys playing. The first thing I noticed was that the games were really fast paced. The court is divided into two halves rather than thirds; and the teams are made up of two attack; two centre; and two defence. A lot more flexibility so everyone can get involved.

As we were about to begin, a guy walks up to me with his hands up so I just assumed he wanted a high 10 hahah but he was checking for my nails- if they were too long I would have to wear gloves. Then he told me I had to take off my bracelet, and I said why, and he said, someone might get their fingers caught in it. Probs not though eh. I would have taken off all jewellery anyway, and I would only describe my bracelet as non offensive. It was a present from a monk in Thailand, so it was simple but meaningful. Taking it off would have been bad luck for me (it has to fall off naturally) so I went to put on some of the oversized garden gloves which they have on supply.

The game is made up of quarters of 8mins. Fast paced, non stop. We had no substitutes so I took turns in all three positions. The other team were good, we were destroyed but maybe because we were a new team i.e. I had never played with them, and we had to ask another girl to play for us to make up the numbers. A few other differences:

- you can bounce the ball off the net/wall,

- once you touch the ball unless you catch it, you have to give it up,

- attacking players can shoot too

- you can shoot from outside of the semi circle for more points.

It was really great. I hope I get the chance to play again, and if I can get in a regular team that would be even better. I like that the teams were mixed too. There's not that many mixed sex sports. Some of the guys had big rugby player quads. So there are guys here who play rugby, and netball. I love it. Welcome to NZ.

http://www.nzindoorsports.org.nz/

Photo Thursday

This was taken a few days ago in Mission Bay, Auckland. The moon was so bright. It was mesmerizing! I couldn't stop looking at it so I thought I would share it here.

Tongariro! Tongariro! Part 2.

Mt. Ngauruhoe

This is taken from the other side of Mt. Ngauruhoe. Its an absolute BEAST, and even as we were looking back at it, I was like, I don't believe we just climbed that monster. Ughhh so crazy. It was so tough. There's something beautifully eerie about barren volcanic land. I love it. You really need to experience it to understand I think. It's amazing, everything is so calm, and quiet...

It was 2.30pm at this point, and we were not even half way through the trek yet. The map said another 4-5hrs at least so there was concern that we wouldn't finish before dark. We were the last ones from the group who set out at 8.30am. Even the guys with the big 60l packs were in front of us. One of the girls (Hi Michal) was on a diet so she had only eaten vegetables the night before. She just needed a piece of bread. I would have been struggling (a lot more) if I didn't have any carbs for fuel.

Okay, onwards! There was another steep rise, it was one of the last ones. We could see a lake from the top of Ngauruhoe so we already knew what was waiting ahead. I kept looking back at Ngauruhoe, and felt a real sense of accomplishment. It already looked so far away. I think all the waiting at the bottom of Ngauruhoe had drained spirits a little. Maybe we were getting tired? I dug out my iPod, and put on some music which gave me a lift. Dancing along.

The red crater was waiting at the top. It's great that there's something at the top to make you go whoaaaa. The emerald lakes are here too. The colours were unreal. Our bus driver at the beginning of the day said there was a lot of sulphur in these pools, and advised us not to swim in them. One of the 60l guys put his pack down, and went towards the water to have a closer look. Then he dipped his hands in, and cupped up some water. Maybe I should have said something to him? His hands were still there when they came back out so nae danger! He was cupping them like he wanted to wash his face though. I think I would have cried out then. Wow, imagine if his hands had melted off... There were helicopters circling the area during our climb up Ngauruhoe but I didn't notice them in the late afternoon. I don't actually know what happens when sulphur touches the skin so I might be speaking rubbish.

Emerald lakes

Not bad. Colours were amazing. The smaller one behind had red around its edge. Not bad at all.

Mt. Ngauruhoe, and the smoking red crater

Clear lake

From here, we followed a path along a cliff edge... The descent was coming up, I could sense it. The bus driver had warned us it was the hardest part, and my memories from Aso, in Japan reminded me that going downhill is rubbish. Constantly catching yourself.

Lake Taupo in the background

Nil at this point had raced ahead because he was fed up of waiting. What really peeved me a little was that the path down would wind from one side to the other. If they just made it straight DOWN, fine. Or maybe not... but I hope you can understand my stress. I could just see the path weaving from one side to the other. We were probs about 8.5hrs into the trek at the point. I wanted to sit down again. And then the path took us up some steps, I was like, what is going on?!?! We're going down!! Meanwhile, Nil had reached the hut, and we could see him. Also apparently the hills are alive with echoes, and the man in front of us could hear everything we were talking about. We were talking about tampons. One of the girls thought Scotland would not have applicator tampons, (we do) but yes random chat, I agree.

This is the view back up. Ngauruhoe, the emerald lakes, the red crater are all behind that mountain. My snacks were finished, I was tired, and my feet hurt but we still had like 1.5hrs of downhill left. There is a hut on the way down with 20 bunks but a crazy wind up there. We pushed on through.

The end of the trek goes through woodland so we had to hurry before it got dark. We only had one torch if it came to that so we had to move on. Down, down hill. It felt like a couple of my toe nails were going to fall off. I wish I had some sort of sponge at the top of my shoes to cushion the constant downward walking.

The forest walk lasts forever!! I thought it was a trap, walking through this woodland forever, the path to nowhere. We did see some deer, or apparently horses are more common in the woods though. We scared them so didn't get to say hi.

It felt so good to come back into the clearing. Our car was still there, phew, apparently there is lots of crime in these car parks. Only 3 cars left so we weren't the last ones after all. I was completely drained at this point. I took my shoes straight off to check my toe nails were still there, and did some stretching while we waited for the others.

We were a colourful team. Nil was not colourful enough to make it. He did make it, just not into the photo. I think he took this photo. Photo by Nil on Annie Leavitt's camera!

Tongariro Crossing (click for the track). One of the best things I've done to date.

All photos by Sue Tsang, unless otherwise stated.

Tongariro! Tongariro! Part 1, Ngauruhoe.

The Tongariro Crossing is often marketed as the best one day hike in New Zealand. I had a quick look at the website, and it looked amazing. It was going to be my 2nd climb around a volcano since Aso, Japan. Tres excitement.

The weather really makes a difference on a mission like this so I was anxiously checking the report (which changed its mind like twice a day) to make sure the day we planned to walk was going to be a clear and beautiful one!

We drove from Auckland, and it was a nice ride. It was during the week so we mostly had the road to ourselves apart from a few big delivery lorries. Michal booked us into stay at Club Habitat which had a motel look going on. It was pretty ghetto but did the job for two nights.

Over dinner we discussed how we were going to get to the national park. The shuttle buses offer to take you to the start of the trek for $20/$40 for return. Since we had a car we were reluctant to pay this price- it would have been $200 alone on transport, we said pfft! Many options were discussed, we tried to ask if anyone else was doing the trek the next day so we could share a lift; hitch hike; just pay the shuttle. Turangi is closest to the END of the trek, I didn't know this, and just thought it would have been closest to the start so I don't think my input in the discussion really made any sense. ANYWAYS, after phoning the bus company, we decided to drive to the end of the trek, and then jump on the 7.30am bus which would take us to the start of the trek. The woman at the hostel reception told us we could only buy return tickets. Don't believe her lies.

Ok, so the next day we wake up at 6am happy as can be, and eat some breakfast. Porridge with a banana, tea, toast. Energy, energy. It was really cold, and I was tired but also kinda nervous and excited.

Scenic lookout point! (NZ roads signs are pretty accurate)

8.30am

In NZ, they call this sort of activity, 'tramping'. You can see Michal's tramping gear which consists of thermals with shorts on top. So many colours! We weren't going to lose her.

The trek starts off relatively easy until the part where you start climbing up towards Ngauruhoe. There are huts dotted off the trek so some people were doing it with all their camping gear, like 50l packs. I don't know how they managed it.

Ngauruhoe in the background.

Mt. Ngauruhoe is the biggest peak in the crossing. Its a monster, and its not part of the trek so there is no path. We had all decided before that we were up for climbing it, and there were several others already half way up by the time we got there.

Looking up Ngauruhoe

Not sure if the above photo does it much justice but it was small grey rocks at the bottom which were easy enough to walk over, and then it changed to like black ash so every time you took a step you would slide down a little which, you know, isn't ideal. Two of the group went racing ahead, and I was kinda in the middle on my own but it was good just going at my own pace. I would stop every now and again to look back at my progress, absorb the view, take some photos, drink some water. It was tough! Definitely a mental challenge as well as physical.

Michal, and Annie

Keep on, keepin' on. I think you can get a sense of what it was like from the above photo. Nothing for miles, crumbly rocks, crazy steep gradient, and tiny little figures following me up.

After a while, these big boulders appear, and people were climbing over them and I was thinking to myself what would take less energy- to walk round the side of them and use my arms to help pull myself. Or climb over the boulders. I did the first option for a while but it was getting tough with no gloves, and the people in front of me who climbed over them seem to have created some distance so I tried that after a while. When I turned back, I couldn't even see Michal and Annie anymore. Boulders must have been huge. Then the rocks change again, to red and kinda less crumbly but still very loose under foot. I could see Nil, and Molly at the top, and my tummy was rumbling and I just wanted to sit down for a while, and eat, and not have to climb, haha.

Anyways, just as I'm about to climb up the last few boulders to the top, I hear a grumble. Which was scary because it echoed for ages, (I know it wasn't my tummy), and I thought to myself, it can't possibly be an active volcano otherwise we wouldn't be allowed to climb it. Why is it grumbling then?!! To the left there was a smoking peak, and the sulphur was a lot stronger here. I look up at the others who are already up there, and they don't seem too concerned about the noise so I carried on pushing to the top.

TOP OF THE WORLD! I love that feeling when you reach the top. TOP OF THE WORLD.

THE CRATER

The view from the top. MEAN.

Take a hat for the top, its gets really windy, and an extra layer too for when you're eating your sandwiches and cooling down! We stayed up here until everyone was up, and just relaxed for a bit. I was thinking as I was going up, hmm, this isn't going to be easy coming down...

yikes!

These rocks were LOOSE. I found the best way was just to have one foot in front and slide. It created a small avalanche of sorts but there was no one directly below me. I had cleared a path with my path but didn't let Annie use it because she was sending rocks tumbling down after me, pretty scary. This sliding down gets a bit tiring, and boring after about 10 minutes. Took me about 40 mins to get down. Can you imagine sliding for that long! It was fun though because there was no path you actually had to think about what you were doing. I loved it.

Ok, the whole trek took us 10hrs so I'm going to break this into two parts...

http://www.tongarirocrossing.org.nz/