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hikes

Beautiful views at the Weeping Rock, Zion National Park
The United States

Day 181: Off the beaten track: Zion National Park

June 24, 2014

Today, I was set to visit the stunning Zion National Park, a true gem! I woke up right on time, eager to finally see this amazing national park. I woke up Sean, brushed my teeth, did my hair, and we headed out. Sean didn’t mind skipping breakfast. The hostel still hadn’t charged me for the other nights I was staying, and it seemed they had made a mistake. Housekeeping came by several times, asking if the beds beneath and across from me were occupied. The first night, I said yes; the second night, I said no. It seemed like the…

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The United States

Day 169: A flight, a hike and a flight

June 12, 2014

Today I would go on a nice hike at Diamond Head, Oahu. I woke promptly at 5:20 am and swiftly packed my belongings into the car’s trunk. By 5:30 am, I was on the road heading north towards Kailua-Kona airport, a drive Google estimated to take around 30 minutes. Hoping to grab breakfast at Subway along the way, I was disappointed to find none open. I fueled up for the last time in Kona before proceeding to the airport. Arriving at 6 am at the Dollar Rental premises, I was greeted by a staff member who efficiently checked…

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Kealakekua Bay in the distance, Hawaii
The United States

Day 163: Giving up on a strenuous hike

June 6, 2014

Today, I had planned to hike to Kealakekua Bay, but ultimately, I didn’t complete the hike. My alarm sounded at 5:30 am, prompting me to rise and pack the last of my belongings quietly, so as not to disturb the others in the room. I waited for what felt like a long time at the bus stop for the airport bus. Finally, around 6:30 am, it arrived. Despite my skepticism, I checked Google Maps to confirm our route and direction after my experiences with unreliable buses. Fortunately, everything went smoothly. By around 7:15 am, I had reached…

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The Champagne Pool at Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland
New-Zealand

Day 142: Colors and steam

May 17, 2014

Today, I planned to explore Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland near Rotorua—a mesmerizing thermal park boasting numerous spectacular geothermal features. What an extraordinary day it promised to be! I awoke at approximately 9:00 am and kicked off my day. After a refreshing shower and teeth brushing routine, I ventured to the outside terrace on the first floor of the dorm. While the hostel was satisfactory, the bathroom didn’t quite meet my cleanliness expectations, but I shrugged it off. Swiftly departing from Lake Taupo, I cruised down the Thermal Highway (I do appreciate these straightforward highway names, haha). The weather was…

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New-Zealand

Day 141: ‘Let’s face it mr. Frodo, we’re lost!

May 16, 2014

Today, I planned to explore Emyn Muil, the iconic movie location featured in the opening scenes of “The Two Towers” from Lord of the Rings, where Frodo and Sam are seen lost in Mordor. Rising at 9 am, I had ample time for breakfast and to step out of my room. The weather was splendid! While the past two days were decent, today presented a cloudless sky, signaling the perfect moment to visit Emyn Muil, my chosen Lord of the Rings movie location. I headed towards Whakapapa Village, a roughly 50-kilometer drive from Turangi, reaching there by 10:30 am…

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New-Zealand

Day 139: Feeling tired? Indulge yourself!

May 14, 2014

Today, I spontaneously decided to visit the Tokaanu Thermal Pools in Tokaanu. At 9 am, I woke up to the sound of rain. In a hurry, I dashed to the hostel for a quick bathroom break. Though I intended to shower, time was limited—I had to leave in the next 15 minutes. I quickly brushed my teeth and had a brief shave before heading out. Exhaustion set in as I had an uneasy night, feeling a bit under the weather. Despite the captivating experiences in New Zealand, there were moments when it all became overwhelming, and the thought of heading…

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New-Zealand

Day 137: The Putangirua Pinnacles

May 12, 2014

Today, my destination is the Putangirua Pinnacles, the filming location of the Dimholt Road scene from Lord of the Rings. Yesterday, I arrived here to sleep in my car, ensuring I would be the first and sole adventurer on the trail this morning. And it looks like my plan has worked out perfectly! Around 10 am, I awoke to a delightful day, exactly as forecasted by Google. The sky was clear, bathed in a brilliant blue, and the sun cast its warmth. The car held a comfortable temperature, and the previous night’s chill had subsided. After attending to morning rituals…

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New-Zealand

Day 134: Abel National Park part II

May 9, 2014

Today, my plan is to trek through Abel Tasman National Park by taking a water taxi to a beach, where I’ll embark on a walk to another beach for pick-up. I woke up at 8 am thanks to my reliable alarm. After resetting it for 8:30 am, I caught a bit more sleep. Once it signaled the new wake-up time, I promptly brushed my teeth and used the restroom. Exiting the campsite, I headed towards the harbor, conveniently located just 50 meters away. Kaiteriteri was indeed a small village.The day began beautifully with bright sunshine, clear blue skies, and…

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New-Zealand

Day 133: Abel Tasman National Park, part I

May 8, 2014

Today, my itinerary includes exploring caves and captivating sacred springs within Abel Tasman National Park. I rose early at 7 am as the two women in my dorm needed to depart. The initial lady, who had snored loudly yet elegantly the previous night, left in silence. However, the other, Birgit, attempted to be discreet but wasn’t successful. Her frequent entrances into the dorm, a total of 20 times, were quite disruptive. Once she finally left, I managed to catch some more sleep and woke up around 9 am. I indulged in a lengthy and refreshing shower, enjoying the solitude of…

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New-Zealand

Day 126: The Chasm and The Divide

May 1, 2014

Today’s agenda included a visit to The Chasm and The Divide near Milford Sound. The alarm went off at 9:30 am, prompting me to get up and head to the toilet block for teeth brushing. Yvette was also awake and preparing to leave bed. I noticed I was much quicker, getting ready by 9:45 am while she went, presumably, to the toilets. Check-out time was before 10 am, and as I held my pillowcase, the cleaning lady directed me to dispose of it in a bin nearby our dormitory. She expressed gratitude, as if it were the kindest…

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