[NOTE: I wrote this post in October 2009 - I realized I had never finished writing my posts about New Zealand, which is a crime because the Tongariro Crossing was one of the most exhilirating experiences of my life. I think I was trying to think of enough eloquent things to say about it, but there...

I was in Europe for a last minute, unplanned, trip to backpack around with my brother, Tim, who recently ended his six month assignment in Sri Lanka with Doctors without Borders(MSF). He is employed by MSF-Holland so a visit to Europe was required after he left Asia. Also required, after six months...

Just had to post one photo from today, even though I'm not nearly caught up yet on my other posts... This was an hour-and-a-half side trip off of the 19k Tongariro Crossing that we did today. Alex, meanwhile, was scaling Mt Doom behind me there. More awesome pics to follow later, it was just such a...