Clothing and suchlike

Hey all,

Tim, what David and Mag have said is good. The Tongariro is a real Alpine (as in mountainous)trek, and I don't think it would be suitable for the kids. Too difficult and arduous for the littlies, from what I hear, but fine for you and Carrie. You generally have to have someone drive the car around to pick you up after the trek, so I can do that with the cids (spelling correct). It takes a long time, too. Someone I talked to said it took her 8 hours - she's a fit 21-year-old. It looks like a little up-and-down thing, but it isn't.

About fleeces: It was 30C here yesterday. I couldn't sleep because of the heat. Windbreakers are good, but fleeces, definitely not. You'll broil. As I said to Carrie when last we spoke, I'll get sunscreen down here - made here, it's specifically for NZ sun and therefore better than stuff from Canada for the conditions. The togs for the kids should be the kind Owen had when he was much smaller - I have a really lovely picture of him in a blue all-over suit with a kepi-kind of hat being held by Carrie at her parent's cottage's beach (how's THAT for apostrophes?). That kind is perfect for them.

I generally only wear sandals here for most of the year, except during the 'coldest' days of winter. Of course for the Crossing, you'll need hiking boots, but for the rest of the time, if you're like me and hate having your feet enclosed in something when it's hot, sandals and jandals (what they call flip-flops). Shorts, tanks, and as Mag has posted, loose cotton clothing. It's pretty humid here at this time, although nothing like Toronto and area during the summer. You'll still feel it, though. Even the rain isn't cold, and they don't have acid rain, so you can walk in it. Bring hats and good sunglasses for everyone, and not the $2-store kind of sunglasses. Good ones. They get cancer of the eyeball down here because of the sun. Light sweaters, a pair of long pants - you really are coming here in the best, dryest month of summer, so pack for that, even though it's hard to believe. The nights are generally quite warm, although there is the occasional lovely cool night.

I'm not sure what else to say about clothing. Mag's advice is great. David has found a really great little (or, rather, fairly large) swimming hole in the Karangahape River (is that where it is, David?), and I can't wait to try it out.

I'll see you in 12 days!! Hilary, you will be missed. And the oldies, too.

Love, Jen.