Seven hours. The cold blue sky, touching down, presses against us. Us making slow progress against the vertical thrust of a mountain side. Caught between the blue infinity and a land mass escaping from Hades. A sense of crushing freedom. Seven hours of being reminded of the forces buried deep below. City life, built on concrete and asphalt, is far removed from this raw energy that nature keeps concealed from us. Sleeping, us in our trance of daily life. Sleeping, nature rests, confident in her awe.
We step upon the South Crater. Life struggles with altitude and cold. The barrenness hemmed in by the presence of Ngauruhoe and Tongariro. Red Crater shows signs of life. Some primordial entity, devouring the sinners, breathing out sulphur. The ancient beast lets us pass. Our sins not worthy of its appetite. Seven hours. A still Blue Lake, the colour takes your breath away. No, that’s my lungs being forced to work so hard. Far below, land stretches and buckles. Life grows from the ashes discarded long ago.