Adventurous Tramp

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 113, 6 February 1937, Page 25

Adventurous Tramp

When I was staying at the Chateau Tongariro, we went to see the Ketetahi hot springs. We started off at about half-past nine in the morning, motoring 17 miles by road. Then we began our walk of four miles. First we tramped along an old railway line, then uphill through the most beautiful bush, and then over the hills* We were just beginning to feel tired when we caught sight of a huf where the guide told us we would have lunch. After a most refreshing lunch we started off again, having to walk another mile over the hills. At last we came to our journey’s end, which looked into a stony valley, with a small steamy stream trickling between its banks. The water was tepid and smelt of sulphur. As we walked up, along it. it became hotter and we had to be careful where we trod, because of little boiling-hot sulphur pools that seemed to spring up everywhere. Suddenly we got enveloped in steam, and a huge boiling pool loomed up in front of us. The guide then showed us a steam vent. Luckily my brother and I had brought our swimming suit* so we had a bathe in the pools further down.

Just as we passed the hut coining back it began to pour, and we could hardly see because of the rain, hut at last we managed to get back to a hot bath and a good dinner, none the worse for wear.— Goddess of Huntinc (12) , Masterton.