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This is going to be a long post, simply because there is a lot to tell. Over the past weeks I’ve started to doubt whether hiking Te Araroa was making me happy. While being in New Zealand makes me incredibly happy and hiking makes me happy too, I just wasn’t feeling happy in general. While I imagined that hiking the entire length of New Zealand was going to be what I wanted to do, it in fact turned to be quite the opposite.   The actual realization that doing what I was doing wasn’t what I had hoped it would be already hit me within the first few days of walking Te Araroa. I kept it to myself because I was still jet-lagged from the long flight and my feet were still recovering from the blisters I had on 90 Mile Beach. And while I’ve experienced many happy moments on the trail (seeing fantails, climbing mountains, experiencing the most amazing sunsets and sunrises) the overall experience wasn’t what I had hoped it would be. Before I’ll tell you more about the decision to hike my own hike, I’ll first do a quick recap of the third and fourth week of my hike.     Beaches and rivers My third week on Te Araroa was all about beaches and rivers. Rivers that flow into the ocean that is, meaning that they are tidal dependent and that they can only be crossed during low tide. Ever since I got nearly swept away by a glacial river in Iceland a few years back I’ve had a fear of river crossings. Despite of this I still decided I wanted to do Te Araroa, which includes a gigantic lot of river crossings. I was ready to face my fears. The first two rivers I crossed, the Horahora and Taihahuru were easy (up half way between my knees and thighs) with slow flows. The knee deep mud in the estuaries and mangroves proved to be more of a challenge.   I did endless beach walks and actually enjoyed it most of the time. I had just one meltdown, which was towards the end of a 30 km day where I had to walk through soft sand for 6 kms after already doing the above mentioned two river crossings as well as climbing several mountains. The day before I had lost my Apple airpods in the back of a truck I hitched in and the morning after the 30 km hike I failed to close the lid of my water bladder properly causing two liters of water leaking into my bag. Each time I was walking through farmland I felt like walking through the Shire and thankful for the sunshine on my face.   I experienced enormous generosity and kindness by New Zealanders who offered me rides, food, coffees and encouraging words when I needed them the most. Meeting a variety of people has been a huge motivation to keep on going, in addition to the beautiful landscapes I’ve been walking through.     Mud and rivers After taking it slow for a few days in the coastal town of Mangawhai because of heavy rains and my period causing my hormones to bring out the worst in me, I was ready to hit the trail again. Next up was a beach walk with three rivers to cross, which would usually just be ankle or knee deep. However, with the enormous downpours of the days before (it rained heavily nonstop for 14 hours the night before) I imagined the rivers would be quite a challenge. They were. Although the current was not too bad, the water was muddy and the sand at the bottom was soft, making me sink into the sand if I stood still too long. The water was thigh deep most of the time and I found myself almost getting into a panic attack at some point because I felt myself sinking away. Luckily I remembered my breathing exercises that I learned during my Wim Hoff ice bath workshop and I was able to breathe my way through it, which felt like a huge victory.   Next up was Mount Tamahunga and the Dome Valley, known for being extremely muddy and potentially dangerous after rain. The way up was muddy but nothing that couldn’t be done. The way down was horrendous. A lot of fun too, but wow, I sometimes feared my life while sliding down and hanging onto trees with a vertical drop off next to me. Luckily I was joined by two fellow hikers and we managed to keep our spirits up well most of the time. We camped in the most beautiful paddock up in the hills, enjoyed massive hospitality and shed tears each at our own moments.     A walk into Auckland The final days I walked into Auckland, by myself again. I decided to choose my own path rather than following everybody else’s because a few days earlier I realized that what I was doing was not making me happy. Reaching Auckland truly felt like a victory though, because I had walked some 600 kilometers (with a few hitches here and there) down to the place where it all got started exactly one month earlier. As I saw the Auckland skyline ahead of me, I realized that no matter what my decision was going to be, I hiked the furthest I had ever hiked before. I felt incredibly proud as I boarded the ferry across Hauraki Gulf that took me into the city from Devonport.   In search of freedom It was already in the first week of hiking Te Araroa that the feeling hit me that I wasn’t sure if this was what I wanted to do the next six months to come. ‘This’ being what felt like a tight schedule of hiking some 25 kms each day, getting up at 06.00 am, leaving by 08.00 am, marching on, counting distances, setting up camp, sleeping and repeating it the next day. In addition I felt that with having a bunch of rest days in Kaitaia to let my feet heal and hiding for the weather, I was falling behind on schedule and found myself wondering if I was going to make it to Bluff within the expiry date of my visa at all.   I wasn’t the only one worried about this. Upon arrival at the campsites, there often was talk about distances covered, budgets not being sufficient (New Zealand has a 30% inflation, meaning that I need € 2.000 more than budgeted as I expected to spend some € 6.000) and not being able to make it to Bluff in time. I found myself feeling truly unhappy worrying about this. I did not come to New Zealand to calculate distances, just march on and reaching my destination within time. I missed taking the time for a morning coffee, spending time in front of my tent if I felt like it, having enough energy left to read a book and I missed the feeling of freedom to decide each day what my day was going to look like. After spending nearly three months in Sweden earlier this year where I basically had no plan at all, I was used to living in freedom. Hiking Te Araroa on the North Island felt far from that.     So, what’s next? I’m currently in Hamilton where I decided to give my body a few days rest. I sometimes tend to forget that it’s not just my time in New Zealand that I’ve been on the go, but that it’s in fact been almost five months that I’ve been on the road. Although I’m enjoying it most of the time, there’s also times when I feel extremely exhausted and just want to lay down in bed and hide under the covers for as long as needed.   This made me decide to take things easy from now on and start to enjoy the small things in life again. To hike shorter days, to enjoy other things than hiking that also make me happy (such as a cup of coffee in the morning sun or reading a book for a few hours). I’ve missed those things. When I was at the hostel in Stillwater I found a quote, written by Tom from I Walk Around the World, on one of the walls. It said ‘never sacrifice happiness for achievement.’ It couldn’t have been more spot on. I had been sacrificing happiness for achievement most of the time since my arrival and it was right then that I made the decision to no longer exhaust myself by running forward.   This upcoming week I’m hiking the Timber Trail and from there I’ll catch a bus down to Wellington, from where I’m flying to Queenstown. Here I’ll be speaking at the International Adventure Conference. My initial idea was to fly back to Wellington after the conference but knowing myself, I may just as well stay on the South Island. Either way, my plan is to hike all of Te Araroa on the South Island, starting more or less on January 1st, which gives me 3 months to complete the whole island and travel back up to Auckland for my flight back to The Netherlands.   By releasing the pressure of having to complete the entire trail, I also felt myself opening up for the good things in life again. It was like the dark cloud above my head lifted and I felt myself coming back to life. Ever since I’ve experienced many happy moments on and off the trail, which I cherish more than the miles I was hiking. Life is too short to be unhappy and so I decided that from now on all that I’ll do is hike my own hike.  

I’ve been walking for ten days and wow … I’ve been experiencing a lot of different landscapes and emotions already. Since my last update, I skipped a section, my blisters have almost healed and I’ve almost seen my iPhone drown. It was a special week walking through the Bay of Islands. Here’s more about from my second week on Te Araroa Trail in New Zealand.     Rain and closed forests After 90 Mile Beach I took four days to let my feet and blisters heal. By the end of those four days, I’m eager to get back on the road, but once I start planning, I can’t quite make up mind about what to do. It’s about a 4-5 day walk from Kaitaia to Kerikeri, but part of this route is closed due to the kauri dieback disease, so you have to walk long stretches on (gravel) roads. It’s also recommended to avoid Puketi Forest during heavy rainfall. And unfortunately, Metservice has announced a code orange planned for the days that I have planned to be hiking that section. I have a sleepless night over this and in the morning I decide to skip this section and travel onwards to Kerikeri by bus. I don’t like the idea of four days of just roadwalks because forests are closed and/or too dangerous. Immediately after making this decision, it seems like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders.     Off to the Bay of Islands In Kerikeri I’m staying with Asanka, who last year walked Te Araroa with his family, including their two-month-old baby. He gives me some very valuable tips, including to add electrolytes to my drinking water in the morning and to start taking magnesium in the evenings. Before starting the next section of my hike, I visit the local pharmacy and head out well stocked. Asanka drops me off outside Kerikeri where I walk straight into the forest. I’m back on TA!   Because of the forestry, the trail has been diverted here and despite the fact that I regularly have to jump to the side for the logging trucks passing by and the fact that almost all day is on a gravel road, I enjoy being back on the trail. The views are beautiful and the ferns are huge. My feet are slightly painful but it’s nothing I can’t handle. Before starting the descent to Waitangi, I make a detour to Mt. Bledisloe, from where I can get a first view of the famous Bay of Islands, one of the main sights of New Zealand’s North Island.     Waitangi Treaty Grounds The next day I decide to take it easy. In the morning I first go to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, New Zealand’s most important historic site. The Treaty of Waitangi was signed here in 1840, which laid the foundation for what is now New Zealand. The quality of the tour is quite average so I quickly decide to continue on my own, which suits me just fine. After a few hours of looking around, I pick up my backpack at the reception. It’s time to start walking again.     Russell Along the coast I walk to Pahia, where I get off the trail for a few hours. I want to visit Russell, located on the other side of the bay. Russell is a historic village where the first permanent European settlements were and I think it would be nice to have a look around. I take the ferry across and ten minutes later I’ve arrived the other side. I walk up to Flagstsaff Hill, another important place for New Zealand history. From here I have a beautiful view over the rest of the Bay of Islands. For a moment I play with the idea of going to Cape Brett, a tramp that has been on my mind for years. Eventually I drop the idea because my main focus here is to hike Te Araroa and so I start making my way to Orongo Bay.     A mental challenge Once at the campsite I have a small mental breakdown. I’m finding this harder than I had imagined. I haven’t slept well in weeks and am in pain almost nonstop when hiking. Also I’ve been away from home for three weeks now and with a 12 hour time difference, my friends and family feel very far away from me and communicating with them is a challenge. When I’m up, they are in bed and the other way around. I typically only message them in my mornings (their evenings), when I’m starting my walk for the day. In my evening, they are prepping for work and such so it’s a challenge to find a time that’s good for both. The idea that it will be like this for another five months hits me hard. I go to bed early and hope for a better day tomorrow.   Roadwalking … The following days consist entirely of roadwalking, or walking along the main road. One time on a tarmac road, the other time on a gravel road. It rains both days so I make the most of it by waving enthusiastically to oncoming traffic and listening to music. The second day I walk with Simone from South Africa. At first I didn’t want to leave the campsite because of the code orange, but in the morning it seemed good enough set off anyway. After three hours in drizzle, the downpour starts and within minutes I’m soaked to the bone. Even in the pockets of my rainjacket there’s a big layer of water, but my phone which I kept in one of them still seems to work fine luckily.   Fortunately, there is such a thing as ‘trail angels’ or people who welcome you into their home along the way. Dave and Alex live in Helena Bay and host walkers in their yard. I call them and I’m very welcome to stay at their place. Once on their porch I can dry my stuff and I get a beer and a fresh meal. I want to charge my phone, but suddenly get the message that there is water in my iPhone and that it cannot be charged. I’m pretty anxious, because everything I need for my hike is on this phone. Also, because of the slow WiFi here in New Zealand, my phone hasn’t made backups for a month and none of the photos I took are in my iCloud yet.   In the end I manage to charge my phone via my power bank, but the first thing I do as soon as I arrive in the next town is get a waterproof bag for my phone. My headphones didn’t survive the rain unfortunately.     Back to the coast The next day the Helena Ridge Track is coming up, a route that is well marked, but has some very steep sections. Despite the heavy rainfall I decide to go for it and although the trail is good, it is also very slippery in many places. I regularly slip and in the end am relieved that I didn’t tumble off the mountain. Completely covered in mud, Simone and I manage to arrange a lift for the last 10 kilometers into the next town: Whananaki.   Here I find a lovely campsite where I manage to dry all my equipment in the sun. The weather was quite bad over the past few days, but has been pretty good now. I dry out all of my stuff, charge my phone and head back onwards the next day.   Leaving Whananaki starts with the longest footbridge in the southern hemisphere, which is 395 meters long. After crossing it, I walk the Whananaki Coastal Track. After about 8 kilometers I arrive at an tarmac road again and I feel a little disappointed. Of the last 110 kilometers, it was almost 90 kilometers on main roads and little trail. Fortunately, the sections of trail I went through are beautiful. I walk the full 16 kilometers to the next village, where I arrange a hitch into town. Here I pick up my package with my laptop and fresh contact lenses, backup my phone with decent wifi and resupply.     Trail life Life on the trail is simple. An average day for me is getting up between 06.00-06.30, walking from 08.00, enjoying the journey that’s ahead. Usually I arrive at my overnight place around 4 pm where I set up my tent, sometimes socialize with other hikers if there are any, but sometimes also do nothing for a while. Around 6 pm I start cooking and dinner, after which I go to bed around 7 pm and go to sleep at 8 pm. On the days that I’m ‘in town’ I resupply for the coming days, do laundry, I prepare for the sections to come (calculate number of kms per day, find out if you can refill water along the way, find out where food is available is and where you can spend the night). I sometimes post on Instagram and sometimes I don’t feel like it. I sleep almost 10 hours each night which feels awesome.     It’s the small things My blisters are now reasonably healed, my feet still have some trouble with the road walking but I’m getting used to it. Just like walking on trail runners, eating a lot of unhealthy food with a lot of calories, sometimes sleeping little and constantly smelling your own stink because you have been walking in the same unwashed clothes for six days. I’m grateful to the people who gave me a lift that they didn’t refuse me because I smell horrible. I enjoy the little things like fresh eggs or a cup of coffee. Or a friendly smile from a stranger. Of being awakened by the birds (I haven’t set my alarm for a single day yet) and the beauty of New Zealand. Until next time!   Do you like my content and would you like to donate a cup of coffee for the road? You can do that through Buy Me a Coffee. Thanks in advance!   Distance walked: Day 5. Kerikeri – Waitangi 17 km Day 6. Waitangi – Russel – Orongo 12 km Day 7. Orongo – The Farm 22 km Day 8. The Farm – Helena Bay 18 km Day 9. Helena Bay – Whananaki 15 km (en 12 km lift) Day 10. Whananaki – Ngunguru 26 km   Total distance on this section: 110 Total distance walked: 214  

The first 100 of 3.000 kilometers to hike are done! As I’m writing this I’ve just been dropped off in Kaitaia, the last major town before Cape Reinga, the northernmost point of New Zealand reachable for visitors. I’ve just finished walking the infamous 90 Mile Beach and wow, it was hardcore. However, it also was fun and I was happy just about most of the time. 90 Mile Beach is a killer, both mentally and physically, and it’s said that if you can do this, you can do the rest of the trail, too. Here’s how I experienced my first section of Te Araroa, from Cape Reinga to 90 Mile Beach.     Departure from Auckland After having been in Auckland for almost a week, I’m happy to leave the city. My hotel was the worst and I did not sleep properly ever since arrival, so I was really keen on leaving, despite the fact that I felt a cold was coming up. I just needed to get away from the city as it was draining all the energy out of me. I booked a bus to Kaitaia and a transfer up to the Cape. Nothing was going to stop me from starting. Not even the cold that I was having and the throat aches that kept me up during the night. As I arrived in Kaitaia, I went to the pharmacy to stock up on painkillers just in case.   Arrival at Cape Reinga The next morning I woke up not feeling too good, but in good enough spirits to get my supplies for the first five days out on the trail. I went to the supermarket, got my foods and eagerly awaited my transport, which was planned for 12.30 pm. According to the driver, Paul, the transfer usually takes about 1.5 hours, so at least I should still have enough time to make it to the first camp site for tonight. Unfortunately, the North Island doesn’t leave much space for freedom camping and although I know people will still do this where they can, I prefer to just respect local rules and not overnight somewhere I’m not allowed to. Which meant I still had 12 kilometers to hike after arrival at Cape Reinga.   Having there before back in 2018 when it was incredibly misty, I was happy that it was a beautiful day. Upon arrival at the Cape, I felt nothing but excitement. Cape Reinga is a sacred site to the Maori, you will find an 800 years old Pohutukawa tree and from here, the spirits of the deceased leave the mainland and descend to the underworld to return to their traditional homeland of Hawaiki.   Also with my transfer was Xavier and upon arrival I met Ida whom I shared a room with in Kaitaia, so we decided to hike together. There was noone else at the lighthouse which made it even more stunning and unfortunately, we just had a few moments to check out the beauty of nature, because ahead of us was the first challenge of Te Araroa: the tidal crossings on Te Werahi Beach.     Cape Reinga to Te Werahi Beach The trail down to Te Werahi Beach was pretty straightforward and well marked. Down at Te Werahi Beach there are two crossings that depend on the tide and it’s best not to be there at high tide. High tide would be at 16.00 hrs that day, so we hoped to be at the first section no later than 15.00 hrs. We’d heard it was just a short run across a rocky section, but I’d read on Rosie’s blog that she had been washed away by a big wave so I was a bit worried. I should’t have been though because crossing the rocks was super easy, we got there by 15.15 and it was well in time to cross keeping our feet dry. We just had to wait for a bit for the wave to roll out again and than take a quick run. Nothing major, just common sense it felt like.     Te Werahi Beach Te Werahi Beach is simply stunning. At the end there’s a tidal crossing which is recommended not to do at high tide. It’s hard to see from a distance, but at the end of the beach a river is flowing into the sea and this river gets bigger near high tide, which is a common thing in New Zealand, for example I also experienced this on the Abel Tasman Coastal Track. The tides are part of your adventure. We get there just around high tide and although we are not in a rush, we still decide to check how deep the water is. And we decide to take off our shoes because it’s just one crossing for today and it doesn’t seem worth getting our feet wet already, there will be enough wet feet on the rest of Te Araroa. We wade into the river and it turns out to come up to just below our knees so nothing too bad. However, don’t trust my experience to be similar to yours as I’ve heard of people standing up until their middle.     The red rocks and Twilight Beach From here, its a sturdy uphill walk through something that can be best described as a mix between a desert and volcanic island. There’s fifty shades of red and yellow sand dunes all over. The trail is poorly marked but with our combined knowledge we manage just fine and arrive on the farmland following this section not much later. By then we’ve done about 7 kms and I am feeling in so much pain. I’ve not taken any painkillers since this morning, I’m grasping for breath and my legs just can’t go any further. So basically, it’s just sitting down, taking meds, eat a lot and regaining my strength for the last bit.     Twilight Beach This definitely works because within half an hour I’m up and running again and soaking up all the natural beauty around me. With every step I take I’m feeling more and more grateful I get to be here and experience this on a beautiful day like today. Next up is the descent to Twilight Beach, the final beach for today. It’s about one hour left, before there’s a few stairs to climb up to Twilight Beach Campsite. I get there just before sunset, pitch my tent and enjoy a beautiful sunset. Life is good.     90 Mile Beach – day 1 Next up is 90 Mile Beach, a beach which is in fact just 88 kilometers long rather than 90 miles. 88 Kilometers is still a lot though, especially having to walk it in three days because of the limited camping options. I’m the last one to get up and decide to take things easy, I don’t feel rushed or the need to leave. After a coffee I pack up my tent and start my hike through the hills that make up the north end of 90 Mile Beach. After about an hour I reach a viewpoint, from where it’s a whole lot of steps down to the beach. Although I know this is going to be hard, I’m looking forward to it!   The first day on 90 Mile Beach is easy for me. I’m easily picking up a fast pace and with the tailwind I feel like I’m flying. I pass some other hikers and feel my best. The sky is pretty awesome and the sun is shining. I grab a quick lunch on a log and eventually make it to Maunganui Camp Site mid afternoon in the best of spirits. I’ve just got one small blister but other than that I’m feeling quite well. I’ve got a restless night though as the wind is causing my tent to make a lot of noise. I clearly remember being blown away in the Swedish mountains just a few weeks ago so it keeps me up most of the night.     90 Mile Beach – day 3 The second day on Ninety Mile Beach starts with a dark sky and a drizzle. I decide to put on my rain gear just to be sure because I don’t want to put it all on while hiking and having to stop again. Eventually the rain never really starts so during my first break I take it all off again. The wind is a bit more fierce today but I’m listening to music and a bunch of podcasts which gets me through most of the day. Only the last hour is getting a bit painful. Which is also caused by the fact that the camp site for tonight is said to be just 200 meters from the beach, however it’s a 1 kilometer walk across a gravel road, which is a true pain for the feet. The beer I find upon arrival is awesome though!   Unfortunately, today my feet have suffered. Yesterday was a wet feet day all day long, so many stream crossings along the way and my feet just aren’t used to that. I count no less than seven blisters on my feet. However I’ve come this far, I can make it tomorrow, too.     90 Mile Beach – day 4 I somehow thought that I would be fine, but putting on my shoes the next morning is pure horror. I decide to give myself plenty of breaks and time today. There’s 31 kilometers of sand ahead of me and I don’t want to get injured. I also take myself off the painkillers I’ve been taking to keep my cold under control. Unfortunately, within one hour I’m in pain again. It’s gonna be a long day I reckon …   During the first half of the day I just keep in good spirits while listening to music and podcasts. There’s an option to camp at km 17 but I decide to march onto the next campsite in Ahipara, the first town of the trail. Just a few kilometers past the turn off I regret this though as my feet are terribly painful and giving me a hard time. I decide to put mind over matter but it’s hard. I see the others ahead of me struggling as well and try to catch up with them so at least there’s someone to talk to. They all tell me they are having a hard time. The wind has turned and is now straight in my face and the town I can see from a far distance doesn’t seem to get any closer.   The last few kilometers are the worst. I keep talking to myself that I can do this and that it’s just my feet. It takes forever to exit the beach (“you’re almost there” are the words I hear no less than five times) and then I realize it’s another kilometer to the camp site. I could have died right there but I manage to get myself to take a bunch more steps and even find a camping spot with the rest of the group, who are limping just like me.   While taking off my shoes I notice two blisters got infected and one of my toenails is not doing well. I was having sore feet for a reason. That night we order Thai food and the pain seems quickly forgotten.     A hitch to Kaitaia To hitch or not to hitch – that’s the question keeping some Te Araroa hikers occupied during large parts of their trip. Before I set off on this adventure I decided I wanted to do it all. However, it was already within a few hours of hiking and hearing that many sections are currently closed for various reasons (meaning loads of road walking to bypass) I knew: this is not for me. If I feel like I want to get a ride, I’ll happily get it. I’m…

Let me start by saying that both treks are tough and should not be underestimated. If you have no experience in trekking, you will have to carry lots of stamina and willpower in order to make it to either basecamp. It’s not easy but not impossible either. Which of the two is the most difficult is hard to say and really depends on various factors. If we look at altitude, Everest Base Camp Trek is definitely the most challenging reaching 5.364 meters above sea level. If you decide to trek via Gokyo, which I strongly recommend so you won’t have to hike the same route twice, you will have to cross Cho-La Pass which is even higher and reaches as high as 5.420 meters. Annapurna Base Camp is located at 4.130 meters above sea level, meaning you need less time to acclimatize.

Iregularly have discussions with friends about whether you have to travel far away (= outside of Europe for me) every year. Not only because of the flying embarrassment that seems to be on the rise, but also because there are plenty of nice walks in Europe. You don’t always have to go far to see beautiful landscapes. Need inspiration? Then read on in this article with the beste places to hike in Europe, from north to south. All trails have been made by myself so I only advise you from my own experience, as you are used to from me. Enjoy reading and hiking!

The good thing about hiking in New Zealand is that it can be done from anywhere as there are numerous of trails all over the country, whether it’s close to the city or far away from civilization. In addition to my old post, I will also add more information about the best multi-day hikes in New Zealand as well as shorter hikes that can be done by anyone. Enjoy this list with the best hikes in New Zealand!

When planning to hike a long(ish) track, it’s wise to figure out as much as you can about the trail. What the distance is, how to get to the start and end and what the current trail situation is. Many of these things can be found online nowadays and by doing some research beforehand you can avoid unpleasant surprises along the way. Such as not carrying enough drinking water or having to make a river crossing. But also there may be ferries that are not running on certain days or the bus service you may need could be limited on certain days. All these things can be found out well in advance.

We found another hiking paradise and it’s called Tasmania. Located on the opposite part of the world for us, we spent a month here, exploring what Australians call ‘the Apple Island’ by foot and by bike. We knew that Tasmania had some pretty spectacular scenery to offer but we kept on being surprised over and over again by the diversity of this place. One day we’d stand with our feet in the sand on some stunning beach and the next day we’d be in a rain forrest discovering the prettiest little waterfalls. When you are going hiking here, there is no way you will get disappointed. Here is our selection of the best hikes in Tasmania!

For me, a visit to Crater Lake National Park had been on my bucketlist for many years. Being from The Netherlands it’s not nearly as well known and popular as other US National Parks such as The Grand Canyon or Yellowstone National Park. However, after hearing about this place from a friend, I knew I wanted to go here one day. I kept on googling Crater Lake National Park year after year, at some point I knew it was my time to head on another trip to the US and go for it. And so I finally got to visit Crater Lake National Park after wanting to go for such a long time.