Day 3

Had the Alarm set for 5:10 but woke up around 5:30 and it was already way too bright outside. Bad sign, I really hope no one sees me as I sneak over the chicken wire with my bike. Damn I've got an adrenaline rush. I pedal out the way I came but there's a gate: I guess I didn't come that way after all. I go out the only other way but there are...farm animals? I guess they're using them for nefarious experiments. Ok, back to where I started and I can see that the gate isn't even locked, they must have closed it after I snuck in last night.

I snap a photo of the aformentioned sign, no velociraptors, which is surprising because I could swear I heard one last night:

From farewell & cycle trip part 1

Trying to find my way out between houses that have been converted into labs of some sort, I see a middle aged guy run like hell between them, and I hope he's not running after me. Damn sheep must have had radios on them. Everything seems to have been fenced off since last night, and I have to maneuver my bike through bushes to get out back onto the road. Once on the median, I adjust my bags and have a hot cross bun -- my stomach is rumbling. But I feel great!


I pedal towards town and find a nice sized park with a huge kiddies park inside it, all sorts of weird playground toys and buildings around some picnic tables. Some weird contraption that could be a grill (it smells like cooking oil), a sink, a liquid waste disposal unit (it is near some rubbish bins) or possibly a sacrificial altar with a blood drainage system.

From farewell & cycle trip part 1

I have a generous breakfast and reactivate my handwarmers in some boiling water, reorganize my backpack, and enjoy sitting in the park. Wish I'd camped here last night, there are some wooded areas I could have tented in and I don't think I would have been nearly as nervous about being caught in this idyllic setting.

Since it's only 8:00 and I'm thinking I'll have a bit of a rest this morning, I text ---- and let him know he's welcome to come and meet me here if he wants. Of course he wants me to do the research, so I pedal into town to find out about buses & backpackers for him.

The isite is closed and it's already past 9, the sign on the door says 9, what the hell? I ask a maintenance guy if it's a public holiday, it's good friday of course. Wait around till 10, sign on the door says they open at 10 on public holidays. Nothing. this whole town is shut down. And I was hoping to get some shopping done. What's the point of being in Palmerston North if everything's closed?

I find the bus station and find the timetables and price, let ---- know the story. While I'm waiting for his reply I order a filter coffee (their espresso coffee is all fake) and have a nice chat with an older woman taking the bus from wellington to gisborne to visit her mother. She gives me some travel tips. ---- still needs the backpacker info. there's an accomodation list outside the isite, Ashhurst Domain is $7 on napier road and he's on a budget, map shows napier road's not far. I decide to check it out in person rather than spend the money on a phone call. I get about 7km when I see a sign that says "ashhurst 10km." Screw that, so Ashhurst Domain is in Ashhurst, not palmerston north. Well I'm not going all the way there, ----- can call them to find out the details.

From farewell & cycle trip part 1

Pedal back to town and realize I should probably rest today and not make for Bulls. Actually I'm tired as hell. I get another coffee and search for an internet cafe. they're open all night, big gaming night. Good Friday Gaming Night. Lousy Asian Accent Night. Ok, I'll be back, I just need to get some cigarettes somewhere in this town.

Was thinking about camping in that park, but honestly, I'm so tired I just can't be bothered. think I'm going to just check into a backpackers -- I promised myself a shower and the opportunity to wash clothes after the last coupla nights of illegal camping, and I keep my promises.

Can't really say I know what it's like to chill in Palmerston North, since it's good friday and all. But it's a nice seeming town with a central square. I spent a good deal of time chilling out there and enjoying the sunny weather today.

From farewell & cycle trip part 1

Sorta reminds me of your average suburb back home I suppose. If I had more energy and the pubs were open I'd totally go find some students to hang out with. Ah well. Better rest up. Maybe I can make it to Wanganui tomorrow. Whaddaya think? It's only 75k....


View Larger Map

Here's some fun from yesterday:

From farewell & cycle trip part 1

To keep my mind of the numbness in my fingers on the road, I've been counting occurences of roadkill. In order to matter towards the count the roadkill must be identifiable as such: no shapeless masses, I've gotta see some ears, or a tail, or a claw, or something. So far I've counted 5, which is far less than I saw in the south island. granted I've still got a ways to go. weirdly enough, the roadkill number seems to keep even pace with another number I've been keeping track of: the number of trucks that pass me and leave me with a whiff of livestock. could be wool, could be shit, could be actual animal. who knows. so so far the roadkill/smelly truck tally is 5/5. I'll keep you posted. Because I know you're waiting in breathless anticipation.

From farewell & cycle trip part 1

Look at that thing, he's in 3 pieces! Poor guy... (Hi, Natalia!)

Update: Checked into Peppertree Backpackers, very nice place. Vic, who was working there, and Miriam (UK) are friendly young women and generous with their wine. We chatted about pretty much everything, played cards and swapped scandalous stories. Was glad to meet them, Vic in particular is a counterexample to my growing hypothesis that all (presumably) native kiwi women are boring as hell. I took a much needed shower. Yay!