National Parks Archives - family_tripz

New Zealand – Tongariro Alpine Crossing!

Wiola & Mike — Mon, 25 Sep 2017 19:37:00 +0000

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Volcanoes of the North Island

The North Island of New Zealand is an area with a very high volcanic activity. In the largest city of the country – Auckland, you can find almost 50 extinct volcanoes. If you wish to visit the active ones and marvel at stunning landscapes which were used as a set for shooting Mordor in the Lord of the Rings, you need to go 350 km south. Here, in the very center of the island you can find the Tongariro National Park and three active volcanoes within it: Tongariro, Ruapehu and Ngauruhoe.

It is a great idea to break the drive South. We recommend to stop at hot spring and geyser region – Rotorua and idyllic rural land and an amazing movie set – Hobbiton.

Panoramic view of Auckland

Tongariro National Park

Tongariro is the oldest National Park in NZ. The area was quickly recognized for its remarkable natural beauty. Today, it is double-listed on UNESCO World Herritage List for both: its unique environment and cultural values. The volcanoes have spiritual and cultural significance to indigenous local people.

Taranaki Fall

In winter time, Tongariro is also a busy ski area. We drove almost to the top of one of the volcanoes, where we found the bottom station of ski lift Whakapapa. It was closed due to off season. The surroundings looked spectacular tho. Rugged, black rocks were all around. No wonder why sir Peter Jackson chose this spot to set Mordor scenes. To warm up before the longer hikes, we did a loop trail to Taranaki Fall. The weather was very changable, so we hoped that it would improve for the next day….

Hidden in the clouds

Alpine Flowers

Taranaki Fall

One way trail?

In the National Park you can find two very popular trekking routes. The longer one called Tongariro Northern Ciruit takes 3 to 4 days. It runs around the volcanoes and takes you to the remote corners of the park.

Best one-day hike in New Zealand

Second trail is probably the most popular one in the whole New Zealand. Tongariro Alpine Crossing is a route running for almost 20 km across the northern parts of the National Park. We chose to hike it, because we were lured by the colourful view that we found on every postcard – the Emerald Lakes. The trail connencts 2 parking lots: Mangatepopo & Ketetahi. First is located on the higher elevation, so more people choose to start there. You can park at the end in the morning and buy a bus transfer to the trail head or look for the transport after finishing the hike. Better to book ahead, but you might end up waiting for it or rushing to finish on time. Your call. 30 NZD pp. We do not like being told what to do and where to go. Therefore, we figured out that we will hike the Red Creater and the Emerald Lakes and than decide if we want to finish and look for the ride or to come back the same way to our car at Mangatepopo lot.

Tongariro Alpine Crossing

We checked the latest volcanoe activity at the visitor center. You never know where the next eruption is due. We wanted to start the crossing early in the morning as there was almost 20km of walking ahead of us. We started at Mangatepopo Lot (1100 m). The problem was that everyone had the same idea and, in additon, the buses were scheduled to arrive at 7am. We were walking in endless queue of people. Felt almost like London Underground. This is not how we pictured the trail in our heads

3…2….1…Go!

We are marching in a tight cordon in the morning mist. The crowd is impossible to avoid. After a while, we made it to the stream and small waterfall at Soda Springs. From now on the ascent to Southern Creater (1600m) starts and than the Red Creater (1886m). The trail becomes more challenging and we quickly pass the “conquerors” in sneakers who rushed in race tempo at the start. The sky is clearing up and we can see the Ngauruhoe volcanoe in its full glory. It is so simetrical that it resembles a pyramid. This peak was used as the “Mount Doom” in the Lord of the Rings trilogy.

The Red Creater

On the top of the creater, we could bearly see the tip of our own noses due to the heavy fog. There was a cloud sitting on the top of the volcanoe and it seemed that it is not going anywhere. Luckly we did not miss the trail as it was leading right next to the edge of the creater. That would be a long way down!

The trail leads on and it changes to gravel slope. It is very slippery on the descent and we felt that it might be quite dangerous. The cold wind was blowing and it chased the clouds away. We could see the Emerald Lakes and their fantastic colours right before us. The more the sun shinned through clouds the greener the lakes bacame. It was the most amazing spot on the entire crossing. The water contrasts with black and red rocks of the surrounding. Here and there you can see some steam coming out from between the rocks. It is an active volcanoe, after all!

Low clouds all around

It is clearing up!

Sunny Emerald Lakes

A whole new day

We had a short picnic at the lakes. Eventually we headed to the Blue Lake. As we walked there we looked back and we could finally see the Red Creater. It looked incredible. Almost lika the Gate to Hell. We decided to turn around and go back to our starting point the same way.

Best decision

It turned out to be the best decision! Around 3pm there was bearly anyone on the trail. The clouds were chased away and the sun was shinning. We had the volcanoes exclusively to ourselves. Amazing! We could see the abyss inside the Red Creater as the view was no longer blocked by the fog. It was just the two of us walking down the South Creater. Way better experience than the morning crowds. It might be a good idea to start Tongariro Alpine Crossing a bit later after all. Our walk was a bit longer – over 25km but it was so worth it!

MT Doom

Almost there!

Tongariro National Park

Volcanic landscape

Tongariro Alpine Crossing

In addition, you can extend you walk and hike the summits of Tongariro 1967 m, or Mt Ngauruhoe 2287 m. The second peak is far more challenging as it has a very steep and gravel ascent. We had enough of this after hikking the Red Creater twice.

The Tongariro Alpine Crossing was truly a great hike and we recommend it to every traveler heading to the New Zealand! Just be mindful of the changing weather condintions and be prepared for slippery surfaces. Have fun!

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Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park

Wiola and Mike — Mon, 06 Mar 2017 08:44:00 +0000

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Ayers Rock

Uluru has been an inspiriation for travelers from around the globe to visit the land down under for over 60 years. That is right, just 60 years. The national park has been formally known as Ayers Rock but the original tribal name is now official one.

We were lucky enough to work on the Cattle Station Curtin Springs, which is located close to the famous rock. (you can read more about life in a dessert here)

We have learned from our bosses that when they came here back in 1950’s to start the cattle business, there where only 6 visitors come down the road in a whole year! It is really hard to imagine it now, knowing that the Ayers Rock resort – Yulara is visited by hundreds of thousands tourists each year.

It only has been late XX century when the touristic business escalated, road has been paved and all the hotels and amenities had been build.

Red Centre of Australia and Uluru

Amazing rock formation, Uluru

Uluru during sunset

Don’t mistake Mt Conner with Uluru!

With all that knowledge you can imagine how much the environment has changed in last decades for the local people living here. The Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park is located on aboriginal land and their people actively help to run in. To get here, you can fly in to the small airport at the resort, or take the Lesseter Highway from Alice Springs or unsealed road from Western Australia. If you are driving in from the East do not let Mt Conner fool you. It is not the Uluru that you see already. In fact, so many people mistook Mt Conner for Uluru that it earned a nickname Fooluru.

Watch Uluru at sunset or sunrise!

As you get closer to Yulara you will notice the huge, red monolith rising from the flat desert-like landscape. It is especially magnificent at sunset and sunrise when warm beams of the soft light bring out the colour of the rock. In fact, there are designed areas meant as the best spots to marvel at Uluru as the sun goes up or down. However, they may get little busy, so if you would like to have your own spot it is quite popular with people to just stop on the side of the road. As long as you do not do it in forbidden parking zone, you should be able to have Uluru just for yourself.

Uluru with the green surroundings after the rainy season

Uluru just for ourselves

Beautiful, peaceful landscape

You can take a walk around The Rock

There is a path leading around the base of the Rock which is over 10km long. We took a walk around to see the monolith from every angle. Speaking from the experience, we would recommend renting a bike for that path or going early in the morning or with Seagway tours. It is because the sun has no mercy and you need plenty of water for the walk. Besides, the landscape does not change that much during the walk, so it can get a little dull. Some of the most popular parts of the track lead to the waterhole and aboriginal rock paintings. As it goes for climbing to the top the park is working on closing it permanently. It is not only dangerous, but also offensive to the locals who consider Uluru the sacred place. You can learn much more about aboriginal culture and art in the visitor center located inside the park.

blooming flowers at Ayers Rock

Beware of kangaroos!

the sacred Rock

Water Hole at Uluru

The Valley of the Winds

Further West within the park are the rocks of Kata Tjuta. The 36 domes are creating some wonderful deep valleys and gorges. There are two great walks there. First one, which should take you less the an hour, runs between 2 rock walls at the bottom of the gorge. As you walk alongside the cliff face you might get lucky enough to spot some rock wallabies. The second trail is called The Valley of the Winds and is a bit more difficult. It runs for over 7 km and takes you across the domes to beautiful shaded valleys. 2016 was a very wet year. They reckon there is enough rain for flowers to bloom every 7 years. We were really fortunate to see a lot of them.

kata Tjuta with blooming flowers

Valley of the Winds walk

Desert laughs with flowers

Valley of the Winds

Kata Tjuta domes

Kata Tjuta

Be sure to visit both: Uluru and Kata Tjuta!

If you come to this area you should really spent at least a day at Kata Tjuta as well and do not your visit to be limited only to Uluru. The park entrance fee is 25$ for 72 hours per person. There is abundance of activities, tours, restaurants and hotels at Yulara. You can chose to visit Uluru on the back of the camel, on a seagway, or even on a plane or helicopter. But nothings beats simple sitting and watching Uluru turn intensive red as the sun makes its way below the horizon.

Milky Way above Uluru

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3 reasons to visit Kakadu National Park

Wiola and Mike — Fri, 17 Feb 2017 02:54:00 +0000

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Kakadu National Park

One of the most famous National Parks in Australia is Kakadu National Park. We were really excited about visiting this place. It is home to thousands of species of water birds, plants and animals. All of them do incredibly well it this wet, tropical climate. It is truly one of the Australia’s most extraordinary places. Still not convinced to go?

Here are our top 3 reasons to visit Kakadu National Park:

1. Landscape.

As you drive through out the Park you will see a variety of different landscapes. First wetlands surrounding river catchments. They are full of birds and extraordinary vibrant green colours. Secondly, you will come across rocky plateux, where after a brief hike you can see the endless land surrounding you. You eyes can see so far and the bush spreads all the way to the horizont. It is trully magical to just stair at this tranquil, aincient land while sun goes down. Unforgetable. And finally the third part of the landscape – waterfalls and billabongs. Best known of them all is Jim Jim Falls, which flows only in the wet season and during that time it can be only reached by the scenic flight. In dry season you can get there by sandy 4wd route.

Kakadu fire

Exploring Kakadu

Yellow Water, wetlands of Kakadu

2. Aboriginal Rock Art.

There are two main rock art sites in Kakadu – Ubirr and Nourlangie Rock. Both of them feature extraordinary galleries of paintings. Some of them are believed to be more than 10000 years old. It makes you feel the stron bond which Aboriginal people have with their homeland. If you are into cultural and art experiences you can find out more informations in visitor centers

Aboriginal Art in Kakadu

3. Wildlife.

Kakdu is filled with wild animals. You can see thousands of birds of many different species practicly every time you get out of the car. But Kakadu is also one of the best places to see wild crocodilles in their natural habitat! River crossing to Arnhelm Land is the by far the best spot! You can find out in the visitor center about high tide times. Than make sure you get to the crossing early enought to save yourself the best spot on the viewing platform right next to the riverbank.

As the hight tide comes the water in the river starts to flow upstream pushing the fish across the rocky crossing. In just a few minutes water level rised more than a meter. Sneeky crocodilles just wait with their jaws open. At some point we could see up to 14 of them.

We took some great snaps of the moments when fish is unable to fight the current and just falls into the toothy trap. It is amazing to watch reptails hunting. They seem so calm and slow and suddenly ther move as fast as a lightning to catch their prey. After an hour water starts to fall down again and crocodilles cross back downstream. This is such a extraordinary spectacle. Only such a great director as mother nature herself could have prepared it for us!

fresh snak into crocodile's jaw

croc in action, Kakadu

Crocodile passing the street

Alligator River

sneaky crocodile

just go with the flow

waiting for some good lunch

just waiting patiently

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Swamps of Everglades and Mexican Gulf

Wiola & Mike — Sun, 12 Oct 2014 19:05:19 +0000

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Key Westey

Once you are in Florida it is worth it to plan a trip to the very end of the penninsula. The road takes you across many bridges. One of them is famous for beeing over 7 mile long. Finally after passing picturesque bays and islands you will make it to southern most town in continental USA – Key West.

The town is located just 90 miles away from Cuba and it is well known for its caribbean climat, colonial architecture and friendly atmosphere. A place was an inspiration to many artists, one of them was Ernest Hemingway himself.

Here you can visit fortress from civil war period, buy fresh cigars, enjoy spectacular reef, or a joyful dip in warm waters of the gulf. Planty of good ways to spend the afternoon!

How about a Bahama Cruise?

Not far to Cuba from here

Everglades National Park

A “Must see” of Florida state is definitely Everglades National Park. It is a vast area full of wetlands, swaps and marshlands. You can find many extraodrdinary species of animals and plants living down here. We took a combo 1,5 day trip for Key West and Everglades for 70$, had to haggle hard! It included airboat cruise. The vessel is powered by a gigantic propellers mounted on the back of the boat above the water line. During the cruise we were bussy trying to spot alligators.

Everglades

Alligator, Everglades

We saw a few adult alligators and a few that had just hatched. Those were tiny! Other than that, the swaps turned out to be full of wildlife! Tourtles, waterbirds, snakes, you name it! When the ride finished we headed to the small open-air stage where a ranger told us all about the local raptiles. His southern accent was so strong and the presentation was very informative. At the end of it, he even wrestled with an adult aligator himself!

You can even try the alligator meat here. It is a local delicatessy. Some say it is just like eating fish and chicken at the same time. Would you give it a go?

Visitor Centre

"Babygator"

He does that every day!

Just a couple of alligators

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Grand Canyon

Wiola & Mike — Thu, 24 Jul 2014 16:02:31 +0000

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Grand Canyon, Arizona

You have probably heard that in the USA everything is HUGE. It’s exactly the same if you think about the natural wonders like: Grand Canyon, for example. Not only it’s really big but also very impressive! During our very first roadtrip across the USA, we got to the South Rim at night so we could wait for the sunrise. It was an amazing morning as the Grand Canyon were slowly showing off its extraordinary beauty.

The sunrise was remarkable. It’s really worth getting up early in order to see the magic hour show in the most stunning location. We were not sure if we are dreaming or it’s the reality! We will never forget this moment.

Good morning, world

Wake up at Grad Canyon

Sky getting pink

South Rim

Lion King colors at Grand Canyon

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

South Rim of the Park

The South Rim of Grand Canyon is open whole year round and is the most popular location for the tourists to see the National Park in Arizona. The transportation inside the park works really well and you can use free buses that will take you to different lookouts. (All that is included in your entry-fee to the Park).

Sky Walk

You can also choose to walk on the platform made of glass with the Rim of the Canyon located 70 feet behind you. Quite exciting. If you dare to look down, the bottom of the canyon will be 2,000 feet below. It’s called Sky Walk. We didn’t go there ourselves because of the expensive entry-tickets.

The bottom of the Canyon

Grand Canyon seems big, but you can only realise how big if you walk from the South Rim to the North one with an effort of your own muscles.

If you wish to travel to the North, less crowded Rim of the valley, you have 2 options. First is a 2-day hike through the bottom or you can take a 300km detour by car. We didn’t hike it all but we spent the whole day to get to the bottom and back to the start of the trail and we felt satisfied with the views around. It’s totally different if you look at the canyon from above or from the bottom!

Canyon

Let's hike down the canyon

Nature Perfection

Sunset point

There will be the sunset

Grand Canyon beauty

Grand Canyon NP

Soft, beautiful light

Sun about to set

The North Rim of the Canyon

A year later, during our roadtrip across Utah and Colorado Plateau we managed to get to the north Rim of the Canyon. We could tell right from the beginning that it’s not so popular with tourists and much less crowded. It was full of trees, which made it much greener than the South Rim. Once we got there, the weather was pretty bad. The fog was all over the Canyon and it was raining. Luckily, after some time it changed and the Canyon became visable again. We could take photographs, just as we like and fullfill our souls with the beauty of the wonderful landscape around. This area is closed in winter!

North Rim

foggy day at North Rim of Grand Canyon

North Rim of Grand Canyon

The day clears up

The beauty of Grand Canyon

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Sentinel Dome and Half Dome

Wiola & Mike — Tue, 25 Mar 2014 13:31:33 +0000

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Beautiful Yosemite!

According to Mike, the trail that takes you to both: Sentinel Dome and Taft Point is simply the best in Yosemite National Park. It’s not very popular but if you plan your visit to the Park, include it in your itinerary. It’s easy to miss the starting points as the trail begins just next to the small parking lot, by the road heading to Glacier Point. You can start your hike by going left or right.

No worries, the whole trail makes a nice loope so you get to see both amazing locations! We recommend that you first turn right. The hike begins with a flat path through the pleasant forest and it’s hard to imagine how wonderful it will be just after another 40 minutes. Once you reach the top of Sentinel Dome you will easly spot Half Dome with the Yosemite Valley in its full glory on one side, on the other El Captain with the Merced River disappearing in the far distance. Wondeful! That’s the place where you realize, I need to take a panorama!

Beware of Mountain Lions!

On our way up, we saw the Mountain Lions warning! You could think that since the trail is pretty popular you won’t be bothered by the presence of these carnivors. However, the National Park Servise Staff advice to keep an eye on your children at all times. And remember, “if a big cat attacks, fight back”.

Mountain Lion…

Are you afraid of heights?

After Sentinel Dome, it’s time to discover Taft Point, a place which will help you decide if you are afraid of heights, or not. Just in case you were wondering…

Stay alert…

There are no protection railings and you can get to the edge of the rocks as close as you with to. The feeling of sitting just above the abyss with your legs hanging… priceless. The views are stunning! You may shout or sing and there will be an echo reponding quite a few times before the sound disappears. You can clearly see the majestic El Captain towering just on the opposite side of the Valley. Taft Point is an easy but definitely very exciting hike that we think should be on everyone’s bucketlist while visiting Yosemite National Park. If you love taking pictures, come early to get the good light conditions. In the evening your photos will be against the sun, still pretty, of course! Take a look at our gallery below.

the art of the shadows

Sitting on the edge...

Beautiful rocks, beautiful Yosemite Valley

Are you afraid of heights?

Hello There, trail to Taft point in Yosemite

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