Despite spending most days covered in mud and sweat, I can finally say that I am “thirty, flirty, and prosperous.” Being on the road, I feel content and like I’m living my best life.
Since starting Te Araroa, I knew I would celebrate a birthday on the trail, but I had no idea where I would spend it.
Due to the New Zealand time zone, I was able to celebrate my birthday in two days!
I started my numerical birthday day in Tongariro National Park at the Whakapapa Holiday Park. 
That morning, when I walked into the kitchen, my tram immediately started singing happy birthday to me. I was so tired, but I felt so special.
Before hiking to Waimarino, I wanted to hike a few more trails in Tongariro. Not realizing it was a little late, I hiked the ridge trail and went to see the silica rapids. 
Mt Ruapehu looked beautiful and the rapids were great too. The trail we had found the day before had mostly dried out after all the rain. However, the last part of our trail from Tongariro National Park to the road to Waimarino was still flooded.
The hike took longer than expected due to the mud and water, but it was still enjoyable. Then, I walked down the road to the city.
Overall it was a day later than I had planned, but it was still a great day. I shopped, checked into the hostel, and made some sweet potato and black bean burritos for dinner. 
That night, I officially turned 30 years old. As an American in New Zealand, my real birthday was technically the next day and more of my friends were arriving.
So, that morning I went out to lunch with the hiking girls I had been traveling with. We also had an impromptu art session outside the cafe, which was really fun. In the afternoon, I did laundry, baked a chocolate cake, and video called my friends and parents.
After dinner, our hiking group took over half of the kitchen to enjoy cake and ice cream. It was very nice to have them all together and a great way to start a new decade. 
*Note: This is an old post from late November.
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