Fitful sleep in my rental. Not the best rest I've ever had. Never-the-less, I'm determined to push on. The drive from Taranaki Maunga to Taumarunui is wild! The landscape changes frequently from dense jungle to rolling pasture. The road is narrow (though well-paved), hilly, and winding. One-way bridges with blind turns abound. The most memorable portion is a harrowing descent through steep gorge choked with thick jungle foliage. Reminds me a bit of road trippin' in Costa Rica.
In Taumarunui I attempt to line up a five-day gorge paddling adventure down the "Whanganui Journey". To my chagrin I find they won't allow solitary travelers and have no guides to join me. If some other solo rover wants to make the journey we can partner up. Gotta wait to hear from them.
Carry on to Whakapapa Village in Tongariro National Park where I book some campsites for an extended trek, the one 'round Mt. Doom! (of Lord of the Rings fame). Eager to see that. Finish the day by driving to Te Kiuti outside of Waitomo Glow Worms Caves. Looking forward to that adventure, but for now I'm cooked!
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