WEEKEND OUT OF AUCKLAND

Spent the weekend in a little town called Ohakune. Took 6 hours to get there from Auckland (by bus).

We were there to do the Tongariro Crossing, but our quest was halted by the schizophrenic mountain weather. We did manage to do one of the mini tramps in Tongariro National Park though. It was quite pleasant. 

So...Tongariro shall be crossed another time. 

The quiet town centre of Ohakune

The exciting big carrot statue in Ohakune

Beautiful scenery and cute walkway in Tongariro Nat'l Park.

I think that was Mt. Ruapehu.

Friend gave me some healthy coconut water. It was yum.

MY FIRST OVERNIGHT TRAMP

Last weekend I learnt that day tramps are quite different to overnight tramps.

On this overnight tramp (from Kauaeranga Valley up to Crosbie's Hut and back), we were walking fast for 5 hours (each way), uphill, downhill, through streams, on slippery mud, balancing on pebbles, dodging rocks, climbing up massive chunks of stone and soil, ducking under and jumping over fallen trees, all while carrying 8kg of overnight gear. (And in my case, wearing soggy hiking boots too).

I felt like I was Frodo on an epic journey across rugged lands. I was like a short, unfit, under-prepared hobbit, being guided along by the Elves of Mirkwood – everyone else was all tall, agile, and well organised.

I slowed down the group's pace but they were really supportive. 

Unlike Frodo's situation, there was nothing out there trying to kill me, but I nearly died of exhaustion. I think around 20 times, I feared I would not make it. But I did make it. So that was good.

It was challenging but fun. And it was so beautiful. Everything was so so beautiful.

I need a better word than "beautiful" but I can't think of a word to describe the things I saw. 

Anyway, I just need to train and get fit so I can keep up with others.

Oh, and I need some proper hiking gear. Especially a hiking mug.

I was the only one without a hiking mug.

And a hiking bag.

And many other things.

Anyway, with some more practice and training, I will get better and faster.

Longer legs would help, but it's too late for that now.

I'm just going to focus on getting fitter.

Amazing view from Crosbie's Clearing.

Crosbie's Hut (Outside)

Crosbie's Hut (View from inside)

Bunk beds inside Crosbie's Hut.

Sunset 

Sunset! No filters. Taken with my 2MP phone camera. So you can imagine how much better it was in real life. 

Sunset

The tramp down, the next morning.

Pretty clouds on the way back to Auckland

Stopped at Pokeno for ice cream

The famous ice cream shop in Pokeno with a million flavours (Exaggeration. Probably around 40 flavours). And they have options for 15-scoop ice creams (or more).

PAT ON THE BACK

This weekend I went on a tramp up to Crosbie's Hut in Coromandel.
I joined a group of trampers.
They all had long, lean legs and extreme fitness.
My short stubby legs suffered tremendously. So did my lungs.
But I survived.
Probably my biggest achievement this year (so far).
Also the most exciting and worthwhile weekend I've had this year (so far).

I think I deserve a pat on the back.
I literally need a proper pat on the back.
I was carrying a super heavy bag with overnight gear all the way up and back down.

My short stubby legs stepping on the prickly grass at the summit.

PYO BLUEBERRIES - 1HR FROM AUCKLAND

Went blueberry picking today at a "Pick Your Own" blueberry orchard in Ngatea, Waikato. It was only a 1hr drive from Auckland.

The drive down to Ngatea

We picked 6.5kg of blueberries

Blueberries!

Things you can do at the PYO blueberry orchard:

• You get to pick your own berries.
• You can also eat the berries straight off the tree. I would not recommend it because they are not organic, but they taste really good straight off the tree. 
• There is a cafe with blueberry muffins, cheesecakes, cakes, ice cream etc
• That's about it

FOOD AND BEACHES

Went on a little day trip with my friend. We went up to Snells Beach (the water was so clean and warm), then to Matakana, then back down to Puhoi, then back up to Mahurangi Regional Park. It was a nice relaxing day. These little towns and beaches north of Orewa are so charming.

Puhoi Cheese Cafe

Mahurangi Regional Park

BEACHED AS

Spent the day at Takapuna beach.
I dunked my feet into the water for the first time since forever.
I come to the beach quite often, but I never dunk my feet.
But today, I did – and it was good.
I didn't bring my togs so I couldn't go all the way in like my friend did.
I was so tempted to just jump in.

ANOTHER SOBER NYE AND NYD

My New Years Eves/Days have always been times when I become even more quiet and contemplative than usual. It's mostly because my parents make me to go to the midnight NYE service at church.

This year at church, we didn't even do a countdown. The reverend talked through the 12am point and then afterwards said, "a few minutes ago, we have entered 2014". It was very anticlimactic. No fireworks or cheering. 

But thinking about it, I actually like it this way. 

Not a huge fan of fireworks and loud parties.

And I like the idea of starting off the new year with a clear head. 

In the morning we caught the earlybird ferry to Rangitoto island and walked up to the summit. It was good. I had a trip to Rangitoto Island just last week with some friends as well. But that time we trekked to Mototapu not to the summit.

 

A LITTLE TRIP TO MOTOTAPU

Went on a little hike with a couple of friends. We took the ferry to Rangitoto. Then walked over to Mototapu and had a little picnic.

It was quite a cloudy day, but it was good because it meant that we didn't get burnt.

View from the Coastal Track on Rangitoto Island

We crossed the tiniest bridge between Rangitoto and Mototapu Island. This is where we had our picnic.

NICE SPOTS TO TAKE PANORAMIC PHOTOS IN WELLINGTON

At the top of Mount Victoria

City Square (Where the City Library, Museum, Town Hall, iSite are)

At the top of the Cable Car station/ride (Wellington Botanic Garden)

Walking down the Botanic Garden

Downhill walk to the city

At the Rose Garden 

Inside the greenhouse

Parliament buildings 

Inside St Pauls Cathedral

At Wellington Airport

WELLINGTON ART DECO ARCHITECTURE & MORE

Nikau supports along the Wellington City Library building

Museum of Wellington City & Sea (I think?)

Town Hall

TSB Bank on the corner of Lambton Quay and Willis Street

Cuba Street sculpture – The Bucket Fountain

Not sure where this was

Not sure where this was either. Probably Cuba Street

Museum Hotel on Cable Street

Mural on the Museum Hotel

Boat sheds and houses along Oriental Bay

Also Courtenay Place, I think

Probably Courtenay Place

I think this was on Courtenay Place too

Courtenay Place or Dixon Street

I think this was on Willis Street

A house just below Mount Victoria

Villas around Mount Victoria

More houses around Mount Victoria

The Beehive!

Parliamentary Library

Wellington High Court

Mulgrave Street, I think

Old Saint Pauls Church on Mulgrave Street. (Different to Wellington Cathedral of Saint Paul which is one block across, on Molesworth Street)

Wellington Railway Station

Somewhere on Lambton Quay