spectacular, spectacular
{postcards from the tongariro crossing}
Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves.
– John Muir
an awesome day for climbing a mountain yesterday: it’s been unsuitable weather for the past 2-3 weeks and has clouded over again today.
the gods were definitely smiling on us, we had
clear blue skies, a light wind, the sun on our faces.
tired bodies, happy hearts
(there’s also a post from me up on gypsy girls guide this week and i’d love to have you show me some of where YOU live and what you see)
a very happy christmas to you all
with love,
leonie
~
1. the boardwalk from the carpark up to soda springs
2. looking back down the devil’s staircase (soda springs to south crater)
3. south crater, with ngauruhoe (mount doom for LotR fans) on the left
4. halfway up the ridge to red crater, looking back towards ngauruhoe
5. the red crater
6. the descent from red crater. the emerald lakes
7. one of the emerald lakes
8. the blue lake
9. looking down the other side, towards the ketetahi hut, and lakes rotoaira and taupo
10. the last 45 minutes of the walk down to the carpark is through the beautiful nz bush
11. and alongside the mangatetipua stream.
bella
24/12/2010 at 01:10 //
omg… Leonie! OK, so it’s summer in NZ? Can you swim in the Emerald Lake? Because I totally would..! Photos are beautiful my dear. I love how you capture your surroundings. xo
Holly
24/12/2010 at 03:58 //
the color of that water is miraculous.
sas
24/12/2010 at 08:04 //
Gorgeous shots love – so pleased you are getting to see the sun.
The Red Crater looks like an enormous vulva. Just sayin’.
xxx
Nic
24/12/2010 at 08:22 //
@sas: yup. My thoughts too.
Didn’t think that the first couple of times up there, but I was under 6 those times
Mother
24/12/2010 at 08:43 //
Thanks for sending the beautiful pictures, so we can go there too!
Also the rest on Flicker.
See you in a couple of days.
Love to you both.
Angie
24/12/2010 at 09:22 //
Amazing – especially the colours (I miss colour) – the Emerald Lake is just stunning.
Lovely to think of you on the other side of the planet and on top of the world!
Lots of christmassy love and stuff xxx
Jo
24/12/2010 at 09:52 //
Stunning – and I love that quote.
Love you, miss you.
Happy Christmas.
xxx
Emily
24/12/2010 at 10:28 //
this is andy’s most favourite place on earth… i just showed him this post and i think i lost him to his imagination for the day. i think we need to get outta london for a day or two soon xo
Kerry Schwartfeger
25/12/2010 at 08:44 //
Beautiful pics, Leonie. You are a true artist.
Love you.
XXXX
Jude (top sister)!
28/12/2010 at 07:07 //
Wow love the emerald lakes one – but then why wouldn’t I? and the others too. keep on clicking…
Jude (top sister)!
28/12/2010 at 07:09 //
Umm – I just typed that comment and it says it was done at 7:07am – ? it’s 5:08 here so is that meant to be London, NZ or Oz time?
Amy
29/12/2010 at 20:34 //
Oh my, this is so incredible. Thank you so much (again) for taking me places I will never go.
Ashley
29/12/2010 at 21:20 //
Wow! These photos are amazing! What beautiful scenery and so beautifully captured.
Lisa
04/01/2011 at 14:45 //
Holy Sh*t!!!!
As usual, these photos are AMAZING!!! The feelings they invoke within me are simply expansive and wondrous!
I especially like the one of the Red Crater because it looks just like a Yoni.
Thank you for continuing to bless us with your creations, dearest Leonie!
Happy New Year ~ and ~ Welcome Home!
xoxoxoxo
jeanine
04/01/2011 at 21:05 //
oh my freaking lord, these shots are spectacular. i want to be there now! xo
jaime
21/01/2011 at 06:41 //
What an interesting landscape. I feel as though you have taken me on a journey to another planet. Fascinating place, my friend.
Katie
05/02/2011 at 10:15 //
I love that I’ve ‘found’ your blog and I love your amazing photos, I hope you won’t mind but I’ve placed a link to this blog post from my own about my Tongaririo Crossing. Thank you for the inspiration.