It was January. I had arrived in the town of Taupo, New Zealand. I had specifically come to this town to hike the tongariro crossing which is considered by many to be one of the best hikes in the world. The hike has it all: over mountains, alpine lakes, stunning views, and even Mount Doom (from Lord of The Rings) is part of the hike. I had arrived at the hostel and checked in and when I went to book the shuttle for the next morning to the trail head I was told that it might not go.
Might not go?
I was told it hadn't run that day because it was too windy and may not run tomorrow for the same reason. I could check back in a few hours when an updated weather report would come out.
Too windy?
I know many tourists show up to hikes under prepared but I've never heard of trails being closed because of wind.
I got anxious that it may not happen. It was the reason I was here. I wanted to be lucky and for the weather to cooperate. So, I went back hours later and was told they aren't sure but I can book a spot and call the automated service at 4am to confirm it is rolling. I did just that.
It's running! Trail is open! I get to do the hike!
I sleepily but excitedly got my belongings together to be ready for the very early pick up time (5am, I think it was.) I got into the bus loaded full of other people with the same thoughts as me and we were off. Many people fell asleep on the ride there.
45 minutes into the drive and rather suddenly, the bus pulled over. After a pause that felt like 20 minutes that was in reality about 3 the woman at the front got on the intercom.
"We have to turn around. It's too windy."
My immediate internal reaction was cursing the previous hikers of the trail who were under prepared and needed rescue, ruining it for the rest of us who were prepared for the elements.
As the reality of the moment sunk in my mindset began to shift, partially because I willed it to. In travel, as in life, there is so much out of our control and we must simply accept these moments. Bad luck happens. No hike for me.
Early May. Victoria falls, Zambia. Before getting to Victoria falls the group I was with was told that the water level is higher then it has been in at least 7 years. We were told the falls will be even stronger and more incredible than normal.
I've wanted to go to Victoria falls ever since first watching 'The Amazing Race.' The show has been there a couple times, including episode 1 of season 1. I've since done research on the falls and was excited to see it.
The water was so high that some of the normal activities such as rafting were cancelled. As neat as rafting would have been, I was there for the falls. From what I was hearing from people who frequent the falls often, I was excited. First sight lived up to the hype.
The size and power to take in was amazing.
If you thought 'that's what she said' on that last sentence then high 5 to you. Anyways, the falls were magnificent. The cool thing about Victoria falls is how close you can get. With a couple other people on the Zambian side of the falls we walked through and saw only a section of the falls. Even that section of the falls was surreal. You just see 180 degrees of falls gushing. The fact that the falls were so full made it that much more impressive. In fact the foot bridge, which I understand is usually slightly damp, couldn't be crossed without being drenched head to toe.
Drenched.
One of the girls I had passed walking had mentioned that a few guys had taken off their sandals and slid on the foot bridge because there was so much water. That sounded fun.
I was walking back and did exactly that. Sandals off and was sliding on my feet along this metal bridge. My imagination went one step further and I decided to baseball slide. I put the bag down and I ran across the bridge only to run back and slide on my stomach.
I did this multiple times.
I couldn't possibly have controlled the water level. But, in the same way you must accept disappointment when circumstances don't go your way you must seize the moments when lady luck is on your side. On the bridge, she was there and I had a blast.
Side note, she had last laugh as a reminder I'm helpless. In sliding around on the bridge acting like a young boy I ripped my shirt. The new shirt I had bought in cape town and had worn only 3 times.
Luck.
Might not go?
I was told it hadn't run that day because it was too windy and may not run tomorrow for the same reason. I could check back in a few hours when an updated weather report would come out.
Too windy?
I know many tourists show up to hikes under prepared but I've never heard of trails being closed because of wind.
I got anxious that it may not happen. It was the reason I was here. I wanted to be lucky and for the weather to cooperate. So, I went back hours later and was told they aren't sure but I can book a spot and call the automated service at 4am to confirm it is rolling. I did just that.
It's running! Trail is open! I get to do the hike!
I sleepily but excitedly got my belongings together to be ready for the very early pick up time (5am, I think it was.) I got into the bus loaded full of other people with the same thoughts as me and we were off. Many people fell asleep on the ride there.
45 minutes into the drive and rather suddenly, the bus pulled over. After a pause that felt like 20 minutes that was in reality about 3 the woman at the front got on the intercom.
"We have to turn around. It's too windy."
My immediate internal reaction was cursing the previous hikers of the trail who were under prepared and needed rescue, ruining it for the rest of us who were prepared for the elements.
As the reality of the moment sunk in my mindset began to shift, partially because I willed it to. In travel, as in life, there is so much out of our control and we must simply accept these moments. Bad luck happens. No hike for me.
Early May. Victoria falls, Zambia. Before getting to Victoria falls the group I was with was told that the water level is higher then it has been in at least 7 years. We were told the falls will be even stronger and more incredible than normal.
I've wanted to go to Victoria falls ever since first watching 'The Amazing Race.' The show has been there a couple times, including episode 1 of season 1. I've since done research on the falls and was excited to see it.
The water was so high that some of the normal activities such as rafting were cancelled. As neat as rafting would have been, I was there for the falls. From what I was hearing from people who frequent the falls often, I was excited. First sight lived up to the hype.
The size and power to take in was amazing.
If you thought 'that's what she said' on that last sentence then high 5 to you. Anyways, the falls were magnificent. The cool thing about Victoria falls is how close you can get. With a couple other people on the Zambian side of the falls we walked through and saw only a section of the falls. Even that section of the falls was surreal. You just see 180 degrees of falls gushing. The fact that the falls were so full made it that much more impressive. In fact the foot bridge, which I understand is usually slightly damp, couldn't be crossed without being drenched head to toe.
Drenched.
One of the girls I had passed walking had mentioned that a few guys had taken off their sandals and slid on the foot bridge because there was so much water. That sounded fun.
I was walking back and did exactly that. Sandals off and was sliding on my feet along this metal bridge. My imagination went one step further and I decided to baseball slide. I put the bag down and I ran across the bridge only to run back and slide on my stomach.
I did this multiple times.
I couldn't possibly have controlled the water level. But, in the same way you must accept disappointment when circumstances don't go your way you must seize the moments when lady luck is on your side. On the bridge, she was there and I had a blast.
Side note, she had last laugh as a reminder I'm helpless. In sliding around on the bridge acting like a young boy I ripped my shirt. The new shirt I had bought in cape town and had worn only 3 times.
Luck.
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