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Milford Track is the most famous great walks in New Zealand. I tried to get the ticket before I came in New Zealand, but it was already fully booked until April. Luckily, I was able to get the ticket due to last minute cancelation.

I took the ticket the day before, and the time for the bus is at the late morning. I spent relaxed morning time. I took 9:45 bus to Te Anau down, and then took boat to Glade Warf to start the Milford Track. Most of people on the boat was for the day hike, and one couple from Baltimore were only fellows. Because today’s hike is very short ( 5 km), I was not in a hurry. There are two places I can recommend on the way to Clinton hut, the wetland (with sign) and the river area you can walk on it.

Today I will be walking 22.2 km to Rainbow Reach Car park via Moturau Hut. This section is pretty much easy flat trail, and occasionally there are up and down hills. The only problem was backpacks I carried. I felt so much pain on my shoulder, because this is first time I carry heavy backpack.

Luckily, after I finish my walk at the Rainbow Reach, there was light rain.

On way to the hostel, I was able to get Milford Track tickets from DOC site.

I ate toasted sandwich and pie with chicken, and took a ticket from DOC and left small bag at the hostel. The ticket is obtained only the day before and on the day. I can get the ticket for Milford track tomorrow. The entire Kepler track is too long for 2 days, and I took a shortcut on the start and the end. I took Kepler water taxi to go Brod Bay.

I met few people in the water taxi, and a lady from Seattle accompanied with me to luxmore hut. It is about four hours walk and steady up hill, but the most of sections are shaded.

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Soon, we got to the luxmore hut, and explored the near areas. The luxmore cave is just 10 minutes walk from the hut. We continue to Mt. Luxmore.

From here, we say goodbye, and I continue my way to iris burn hut. This section is completely exposed, and provides spectacular view in few places.

The waterfall is 20 minutes from the hut, and it is worth to visit. Be careful with sandflies.

I went gondola station by walking, and took skyline gondola and enjoyed luge 5 times. Initially, I thought it was a good deal, and after few rides, it can be too much. I also didn’t prepared well for the weather. Without sunglasses in sunny day is not pleasant.

I went back to the hostel, and packed my luggage. then left big suitcase at the hostel. I carried small and big backpacks on the front and back. I took bus to Te Anau, and stayed at the Lakefront Backpackers.

I woke up early in the morning and left the luggage at YHA lakefront. Compared to the last night, it is much better place. The beginning of trail is next to the skyline gondola ticket office. The track sign indicates that it will take 8 hours to return, and I spent almost the same time to finish.

The fist section of the trail is tiki trail to skyline gondola station, and it is steep but most of section is fully shaded by trees.

At the gondola station, continue to follow Ben Lomond Trail.

I spent a long break at the saddle, and continue to the summit. From the saddle to the summit, it is mostly rocky sections and steep.

I spent most of time to go another place. I took overnight bus to go Auckland, and then took a flight to Queenstown. Queenstown airport is small, and I get down from airplane and walk to airport directly. There is no gate and tunnel like international airport. I ate chicken curry at Thai restaurant, and went to Korean restaurant for dinner. Both places use too much oil, though not a bad choice. The price at the grocery store is little expensive than Taupo. I slept at Base Queenstown, which is one of hostel chain in NZ. This place is very noisy and dirty.

It is exciting day to go famous Tongariro Alpine Crossing. People said this the best day hike in New Zealand, and it is the only reason I came in Taupo. I leave the hostel at 5:10 am to get the shuttle, and arrived at the Mangatepopo car park about 1 hour and half. I started hiking at 7 am, and it was 1:20 pm when I came down the other side of trail. It is little chilly when I start, and soon I got warmer because of sweat.

Going up is easy, but going down was more difficult for me. Most of the sections are exposed to the sun, but the last few km are shaded by trees.

After returning to the hostel, I cheered my accomplishment with fruit and pork belly.

It took about 15 minutes to the bus terminal from hostel. There are many inter city buses, and I got in the bus that goes to Wellington. I arrived Taupo around 1 pm, and check-in hostel, then ate lunch near Indian buffet. There are some time left until dark, so I rented a bike to go Huka Falls.

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I thought it is easy to ride bike trail, but it is mountain bike trail. There are a lot of ups and downs, and it was so difficult to get to Huka Falls.

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The height of falls not high, but it is wide and the power of stream is so strong. City of Taupo is small town in the central of north island, and it sits in the lake of Taupo, which is New Zealand’s largest lake. For dinner, I did grocery shopping at Countdown, which is the largest supermarket chain in NZ. The produce is cheap and good quality. There are variety of meats, and it is so delicious.