Day 5

(pics at http://picasaweb.google.com/wedemandoblivion/Dms )

Distance travelled: 68.1 km

Use up the last of the iso-butane to make myself soup, decide to forgo the instant coffee -- I'm trying to purge myself of substances, albeit gradually!

The early start (around 7:30) has me hopeful for the day, and the road is beautiful! Autumn's definitely here, and these country roads are positively idyllic. I would have snapped some more photos, but I was zooming past the scenery downhill at close to 60kmh! Of course there were some uphill climbs as well. So it's still a bit difficult going but the weather gets really nice and sunny around noon. I stop for lunch between some high hills and put on some sunscreen. When I stop to catch my breath occasionally, people in pickup trucks will slow down and ask how I'm doing now and then. That's nice of them.

I pass a beautiful gorge area, this is the kind of scenery that's closer to what I imagined NZ would be like. Downhill all through this area!

From dms

As I rejoin route 1, traffic zooms by -- people coming back from easter weekend. It's a long, long, but not too steep hill to Tahiape. Then we get some more ups and downs, more down then up! These are the kinds of proportions that life should be made of -- a little had work and 2-3 times the fun!

The welcome to Taihape sign has got a big gumboot on it. I guess it's their mascot. Later on I pass a big colorful sculpture of gumboot. Turns out they have some sort of boot throwing festival here?

From dms

I finally get into Taihape as dark comes down and I'm stoked at today's accomplishment -- 65ks, not bad! I get a mocha at the wild bean in the petrol station to warm me up and wake me up, and ask about the campground in the area. it's right out of town. New world is closed for easter, so I hope the campground is open! I called them twice but no answer.

It's super dark pedalling out the campground, I'm glad I have that headlight.

The campground's open! I pay the $10 to the sleepy looking Maori/Islander and pedal over to the white box he pointed to. I hear Hebrew. "Are you guys Israeli?" I sit down at the bench and introduce myself, they're four 23 year olds on a several month long Aussie/NZ tour. I puff some N'argilah (hookah) and we smoke some other things as well. Fun, friendly guys! They invite me to put down my tent closer to where they're camped, and even help me set up in the dark. They share some cookies and stuff. Rambunctious, but I would be too if I'd just gotten out of the army. Turns out they're going to Tongariro tomorrow as well, maybe we can meet up. They giggle like schoolboys in the tents, I wonder what they're doing in there?


As I scribble these notes down in my tent, there's a ladybug. They say ladybugs are a good omen.

Tomorrow, Tongariro!!



View Larger Map