Voted NZ's best day hike and one of the best hikes in the world the Tongariro Alpine Crossing is just that! At various points along the 20km track, it reminded me of the literal meaning of the word 'breathtaking' once again. The track is said to be 'challenging' and at points I really felt that, but nothing that would made me want to turn back - like some of the sign posts suggested. I started at the Mangatepopo entrance and finished at the Ketetahi entrance. I wouldn't do it the other way as the best thins to see are at the start and you're tired by the time you get to the end which was rainforest and a walkway for 2.5hrs.

There are two options along the way the first is to hike to the summit of Mt Ngauruhoe aka Mt Doom from Lord of the Rings which they rated as extremely dangerous and I could see why as we walked by the base of it. It would add 2/3 hrs onto your journey and would be extremely difficult terrain to climb on. A lot of people opted not to do it. The second Option was to climb Mount Tongariro which would take 1hr 20 mins which I opted to do! Apart from some tricky snowy, icy situations it was pretty ok and I was super happy when I reached the top.

Overall I would totally recommend everybody to do this walk once in New Zealand. As my video says, it's is up there with some amazing places iv been to like Machu Picchu, Salar de Uyuni, Amazon etc and it is truly breathtaking just wait and see! One thing I would say is be prepared for all weather conditions and wear some good hiking boots because you will find yourself surrounded by snow, ice, sleet, volcanic ash, grit, rocks, mud and water which you will need to be prepared for. No one likes hiking 20kms in wet shoes!

Good luck and go for it :)

So as you've guessed from the title it must be the end of my journey in New Zealand and the end of the huge trip I planned all those months ago! I started in India back in July 2013 and passed through so many countries before basing myself in beautiful Aotearoa! The time is coming where I have to leave this amazing place but it's not a sad time because I know I'll be back. I have a lot planned that I am looking forward to and In no time I'll be meeting new people and telling tales of pretty little New Zealand! And I cant wait to tell them everything!

Since coming back to the north island iv had the chance to work in Auckland city and gain a true love for the place which I couldn't quite grasp before! Iv worked with some old friends and trained some new friends through Greenpeace. Iv visited Mount Maunganui one last time and said goodbye to my old friends Midge and Mark, my old Flatties Ross and Kiran and even popped into Barrio Brothers for an epic meal and a goodbye to my old workmates. I climbed the mount one last time and as I drove away from that special place I knew it would be somewhere i would return. I also finished work with Greebpwace after 9 wonderful months and said goodbye to my Auckland family in Mt Eden before I set off!

Iv had the chance to go to the Cosmic forest festival where me and my friends danced the night away to trance music with hippys in the spectacular surrounding, eat amazing falafel burgers, drink chai and attend some amazing mediation workshops. It was an epic experience and something I'll be keen to do again if I find something as cool elsewhere in the world!

The time has come to finish what I started and over the next week I will revisit friends and visit places I missed alo my travels and once iv done that I can say iv seen everything NZ has to offer.. iv literally had the most kiwi experience possible! Tomorrow I will head to the Tongariro Alpine crossing

So as you've guessed from the title it must be the end of my journey in New Zealand and the end of the huge trip I planned all those months ago! I started in India back in July 2013 and passed through so many countries before basing myself in beautiful Aotearoa! The time is coming where I have to leave this amazing place but it's not a sad time because I know I'll be back. I have a lot planned that I am looking forward to and In no time I'll be meeting new people and telling tales of pretty little New Zealand! And I cant wait to tell them everything!

Since coming back to the north island iv had the chance to work in Auckland city and gain a true love for the place which I couldn't quite grasp before! Iv worked with some old friends and trained some new friends through Greenpeace. Iv visited Mount Maunganui one last time and said goodbye to my old friends Midge and Mark, my old Flatties Ross and Kiran and even popped into Barrio Brothers for an epic meal and a goodbye to my old workmates. I climbed the mount one last time and as I drove away from that special place I knew it would be somewhere i would return. I also finished work with Greebpwace after 9 wonderful months and said goodbye to my Auckland family in Mt Eden before I set off!

Iv had the chance to go to the Cosmic forest festival where me and my friends danced the night away to trance music with hippys in the spectacular surrounding, eat amazing falafel burgers, drink chai and attend some amazing mediation workshops. It was an epic experience and something I'll be keen to do again if I find something as cool elsewhere in the world!

The time has come to finish what I started and over he next week I will revisit friends and visit places I missed alo my travels and once iv done that I can say iv seen everything NZ has to offer.. iv literally had the most kiwi experience possible! Tomorrow I will head to the Tongariro Alpine crossing, then on to Wellington, Christchurch, Queenstown, Milford Sound and the famous glaciers. No doubt I will blog one last time before I leave NZ and that will prob be a soppy one while I'm sleeping at the airport or something like that! But for now, watch this space and hold out for some amazing new blog entries to come from other parts of this incredible world, because it won't be long until the 'Journey back to the West' begins!

Kia Ora x

So it's been about 6 weeks since we returned from Tonga! And within those 6 weeks, so much has happened that believe it or not my mind is still trying to keep up with it all! We returned to Christchurch and instantly my team was changed up! Dory and jake left to Auckland and I was joined by Ali and Rob who joined me for an epic road trip around beautiful Dunedin, Queenstown & Wanaka where I met old friends and hung out and some familiar hostels. It was an amazing trip for all of us but one by one my team collapsed and I was left rising solo! The only problem is you can't ride solo as a Greenpeace fundraiser nor Team Leader- which I had been promoted to in the midst of all this! My only option was to head back to Auckland!

This would be the first time back in Auckland working since I left for that road trip in May! It felt like the right option for me. I was feeling stressed, depressed and mega demotivated from the constant change in situations and I needed this badly.. I needed to see some familiar faces and be with people who had the same passion for Greenpeace as me. I was excited!

Upon returning to the big city, I checked into my favourite home away from home- Oaklands Lodge in Mt Eden! I saw some faces I recognised from my first stay there back in January and they recognised me! I met some amazing new friends for life there who would help me celebrate my 26th birthday in style and I would regain my motivation with my new and old co workers! This was meant to be!

I'm currently on my last travel trip up north before my visa ends and I leave New Zealand! I'm returning to some familiar places I came to so long ago with Amy and on another occasion with Braden on my first travel trip! I'm joined by two German boys who have been a joy to work with and to end this journey with Greenpeace! The passed few days have seen future plans crumble and fall before me and had left me wondering why I bother! Constant stress takes it's toll and when multiple things crumble in one go, it just gets too much! Luckily I had these two kind Germans with me providing surprise ginger tea and chocolate! In the midst of all of this craziness, I have support from friends around the world and whole lot of things to look forward to! I have just over a month left in NZ and I am keeping my head held high (Thanks Hayley) and I'm gonna go out with a bang! I'm living in the moment and right now I need to focus on making memories not ignoring the amazing things I have around me!

Peace out worldtravellerz!

Love from New Zealand ... Xx