Well now, those who know us, will probably realise that we weren't going to be put off one of our intended targets..i.e. "The Tongariro crossing' thought widely to be one of the best day walks in NZ. It takes a path in the vicinity of 3 volcanoes, Mount 
Tongariro, Mount Ngauruhoe and Mount Ruapehu. So, with a change for the better weatherwise in the Taupo area and good forecasts for at least 5 days, we returned to a hostel in Turangi at the southern end of Lake Taupo.
As a warm up, we climbed Mount Tauhara which overlooks Taupo(3,500ft) on Sunday afternoon and then retired to the Hostel to spend a pleasant evening preparing for the following day. We had previously booked seats on a coach to take us to the start of the crossing and were then picked up at the end (17km North and
East of our start point). The mountain did not disappoint!! We spent an absolutely beautiful day walking over what are essentially 3 volcanoes in various stages of dormancy. Unfortunately as there was a lot of snow and ice near the summits, we were advised not to go to the crater edges(no crampons and axes!!), but the scenery around more than made up for the short-fall!! Blue skies, red craters, and emerald lakes to name but a few of the myriad colours around. We really felt as though this was a special place... sitting on the ground with very 
warm soil and steam issuing from the surface (and even warmer bums) certainly confirmed this!! Wow!! what a day and one we both will remember for a long time to come. Our patience rewarded in the end!!
Tongariro, Mount Ngauruhoe and Mount Ruapehu. So, with a change for the better weatherwise in the Taupo area and good forecasts for at least 5 days, we returned to a hostel in Turangi at the southern end of Lake Taupo.As a warm up, we climbed Mount Tauhara which overlooks Taupo(3,500ft) on Sunday afternoon and then retired to the Hostel to spend a pleasant evening preparing for the following day. We had previously booked seats on a coach to take us to the start of the crossing and were then picked up at the end (17km North and
East of our start point). The mountain did not disappoint!! We spent an absolutely beautiful day walking over what are essentially 3 volcanoes in various stages of dormancy. Unfortunately as there was a lot of snow and ice near the summits, we were advised not to go to the crater edges(no crampons and axes!!), but the scenery around more than made up for the short-fall!! Blue skies, red craters, and emerald lakes to name but a few of the myriad colours around. We really felt as though this was a special place... sitting on the ground with very 
warm soil and steam issuing from the surface (and even warmer bums) certainly confirmed this!! Wow!! what a day and one we both will remember for a long time to come. Our patience rewarded in the end!!