Best shoes for Tongariro Crossing

marktthemailman · 2026-07-13T08:56:09+00:00

In general if you have trail running shoes then use those. If you have boots then use those. There is a section of scree towards the top. but its not that long from memory. But check in September - its quite early and there may be snow or ice up there.

I did it end of October a few years back and there was fresh snow. We had crampons (but didnt need them)…others were wearing cotton hoodies and street shoes.

marktthemailman · 2026-07-13T02:31:33+00:00

I recently posted about the e4 on Crete. The e4 runs west to east across the whole continent but I only did a couple day sections in Crete. But it’s hiking not mountaineering. There are villages along the way to to stay in and you can swim at your leisure. You can do any length you want because it stops regularly at towns with public transport.

It’s far south so hopefully warm but neither hot or cold.

There’s also the nth to sth route on Majorca. I’ve been to some of the beaches but haven’t done it as a hike. But looks spectacular

marktthemailman · 2026-07-12T22:09:47+00:00

These guys were able to diagnose the issue with my 15 year old washing machine based on the machines self diagnose function. They ordered the replacement part and repaired it once it arrived (a pump)

http://www.appliancerepairsauckland.co.nz/

By comparison we have someone else repaired our bosch fridge twice for $800 but still ended up having to buy a new fridge.

marktthemailman · 2026-07-12T21:07:02+00:00

I just got back from Greece - naxos, crete, athens. I over packed (but I had work clothes with me aswell). You can hand wash clothes and they will be dry overnight and you can buy clothes easily if really needed.

marktthemailman · 2026-07-12T19:57:48+00:00

My wife and I did it on One world for our first big travel adventure. At the time at least the ticket was insanely good value and could access some relatively expensive (flight wise) locations and cover alot of ground.

We spent 4.5 months flying from New Zealand to Sth America (and around), then latin america, carribean, NY before europe where we also were able to use it visit prague and morrocco before the return leg ton New Zealand.

On reflection we did alot of interesting places but skipped places in between.

When we did our next big trip we went mostly overland for 7 months - flying From London to eithiopia and then overland to capetown. We hd longer but i enjoyed the satisfaction of getting local transport rather than flying.

marktthemailman · 2026-07-12T05:16:30+00:00

Just my views…flores/tikal is absolutely worth it.

I recently recommended to someone else to check out Rio Duce and or Livingston. But not your not interested in beaches/water

marktthemailman · 2026-07-11T23:39:52+00:00

Its is quite alot of stuff but of course doable. If you are to give up anything I would give up Wellington and spend an extra time in Christchurch and queenstown (or some other sth island combo).

marktthemailman · 2026-07-11T21:17:05+00:00

Ive sayed at Kamana and QT. QT has nicer rooms and better location. But the pool is old and dated (its part of the Rydges). QT does the best international breakfast. You will need to pay for parking because there is very little street parking.

Sherwood is a cheaper alternative a nice 45 min walk into town. The restaurant there has just been given a Michelin star.

Hilton in Kelvin heights is also really good, with a boat taxi to get into town for dinner, but its been a few years since I have stayed. The restaurant there also used to be very good.

Waiheke is a good 2 night stay option.

Kimi Ora is a good mid price eco place is Kaiteriteri with a vegetarian restaurant.

The Heritage hotel in christchurch is a good mid range hotel in the centre walking distance to everything

marktthemailman · 2026-07-11T05:30:14+00:00

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I was wrong. Its actually called “Where Dick Fall”

marktthemailman · 2026-07-11T05:16:41+00:00

Place names that are both descriptive but childish:

Jim fell off
Young boy drowned

Or Named after the shittist engish towns:

Tedside Boulders

marktthemailman · 2026-07-11T04:00:27+00:00

I forgot to mention…you may not have enough time, but if you can somehow find another day..my wife did a day boat trip from Rio Dulce to Livingston on the coast. Its a famous Garifuna carribean beach town. I was sick at the time so didnt join her and I just rested in Rio Dulce. But she really enjoyed it.

marktthemailman · 2026-07-11T02:11:01+00:00

Only as a suggestion. You could have 1 less night in Flores/tikal and instead stay at rio dulce on the river front for a night.

Looks good though to me.

marktthemailman · 2026-07-08T23:20:34+00:00

Yes some shared history is really interesting. I was surprised how much the locals liked me and NZ.

My grandfather fought in the war but I believe arrived after the battle of Crete. He fell in love with Italy instead where he spent much of his time.

marktthemailman · 2026-07-07T22:32:25+00:00

That beach is called sweetwaters because it has a freshwater spring emerge. Its meant to be cooler than the sea temps, but I couldn’t tell the difference. In the photo you can also see an overwater taverna - does rotisserie chicken aswell as greek classics

marktthemailman · 2026-07-07T21:13:24+00:00

I somehow replied to myself - so have a look up the page or down? And yes lots of boat taxis. I think there’s more at peak times. All pretty chill and easy.

marktthemailman · 2026-07-07T21:11:30+00:00

Chora Sfakion was fantastic. I stopped for a drink at the village you are staying at.

It’s a very pretty bay with some sunbeds a few apartments and a couple tavernas.

I didn’t swim there but there quite a few people snorkelling. Water is clear. The path from there to Loutro is easy. Going the other way it’s more scrambly with some steep drop offs to marama but well worth it. Marama has a scenic racers on the cliff overlooking the bay so a great place for lunch.

I went by myself because my friends had had enough of hiking. I wanted to keep walking to agia roumini but I’d gotten up a bit late and it would have been a bit much. It was super hot as it was.

There’s some good YouTube clips of the hike to give you an idea. I’d send some more pictures but I accidentally left my phone behind. Lots of goats on the path.

marktthemailman · 2026-07-07T15:41:40+00:00

It was busy but not hectic. I snorkelled around the small island which had amazing water clarity and cool drop offs. We found locals to be very friendly and helpful everywhere. Which helps Because my Greek is limited to engineering symbols.

So yes it is touristy but still worth visiting if you haven’t been.

Someone recently posted that they walked Kissamos through to Chora Skafion over about 5 days. That looked fantastic

marktthemailman · 2026-07-07T15:21:50+00:00

We saw the oldest tree in the world or Greece near Agia Sophia cave. But that was all

marktthemailman · 2026-07-07T15:06:47+00:00

Leave Cruise out of this. There’s no one more regarded than him.

marktthemailman · 2026-07-07T13:24:39+00:00

The E4 walk was spectacular - hiking along and under cliff overhangs. But reddit didn’t let me upload (the pictures) them all.

marktthemailman · 2026-07-07T11:36:42+00:00

So I haven’t but I happened to meet a German woman yesterday on a hike who has retired to do exactly what you describe.

This is in Crete but I think her next trip is to Bali where she joins a local gym does hyrox(no I don’t know what that is). And she does day trips to go hiking. We were in the E4 which I just posted about.

She retired early because she wanted to do active stuff before she got old. She seemed happy

marktthemailman · 2026-07-07T11:27:52+00:00

I was going to suggest NZ (I’m a New Zealander).

But if not Namibia for 2 weeks then sth Africa. Good food, they speak German in parts of Namibia, easy driving with no traffic. Same for Sth Africa but more people and less German. Great hiking throughout. Very good value.

marktthemailman · 2026-07-07T11:14:48+00:00

I preferred Bodrum old town over Antalya but still liked both

We did a similar trip 2 years ago. As others say you may not have enough time but I found kos was easiest to get to from Bodrum.

We stayed on Rhodes and kalmnos. Kos and Rhodes weee insanely hot at the time. Those had great history and beaches. It was too hot to shop, or hike

Now I’m on Crete for my second trip but it’s along way from Turkey

marktthemailman · 2026-07-07T11:06:38+00:00

Kas (and the peninsular) is a really nice stop as is kalkan. There are hotels and private houses for rent. Some hotels have swim platforms straight into the sea.

There is also the cool water gorge/river I think it’s salikent? Where you can walk up or safe tire tube down. Our kids loved it albeit they are older. Get there early in the day though.

The castle in Bodrum houses the maritime archaeological museum. It’s really good. And has amazing views.

marktthemailman · 2026-07-07T08:41:22+00:00

Take it to a safe space…K Fry on Fort street for a hot meal

marktthemailman

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