Sunday, 20 January 2013

Beginning my real progress south... by south east.

Let the journey begin!

Took a rest at the first stream next to THE 309 road. Perfect for rally car racing.
Here piggy piggy... wait why are you chasing me!?!
Got a nice pic of these pigs and chicks cooking in the hot sun before I got to high tail it out of there!
Straight broke my seat off  hustling up the dirt road.. Good thing I had a back-up. Can you imagine?
They say water works.. I drink 1 liter every 10km on a normal hard ride.  Today I drank a lot more!
Even steeper than it looks! And lots of them!
Saved by this oasis
This tough kid came out of almost nowhere
And this much younger kid must have HUGE balls
They say this thick tree is over 600 years old.. one of the few left after recent logging.
I could live there.. ;)
True Giants of the jungle
Who's this stud? (He's still working on his self portrait)
Straight fell out of the sky!
Hours of riding later and still feeling the tropical heat! So Humid!
Downhill and loving it... just a bit of slipping and sliding though.
Cooling off a bit
Curious company
Horses seem to like honey too

Why hello there
Camo horse joins us
Nice culture mashup
Discovered pavement and the road back to civilization
The disappearing giant hill. Almost brought me to tears as it reminded me of my last visit to Colorado and all the MOUNTAINS that are no longer there.
Treating myself to a $30 Thai dinner. Shifting to a more veg based intake.  Inspiration to respect life more is everywhere.

Saturday, 19 January 2013

I'm just about to head out on what looks like the most challenging ride yet! To Whitianga where there are 2 of the 'top ten' places to visit on this island. The storm is upon us with some rain already and I'm ready for a good cleansing as I push over those hills. Wish me luck and grace!

Friday, 18 January 2013

A new kind of fun

Today is a day of rest, for tomorrow shall be the push over quite the range of windy roads coursing through majestic and imposingly large hills.  This country is gorgeous, but daunting in it's allure and tantalizing adventures.. Last night was a new kind of fun. Joyous locals dancing heartily to live music and entertainment. I brought along three new friends, two beautiful women from Italy and one woman from the south of France. After a day exploring the rugged coastal beaches and countryside together, it was only fitting that we dance! I must say we made quite a few of the local (very) drunken chaps jealous, and inspired many more than just those fools. My night was filled with much laughter, star gazing, and learning bits and pieces of Italian language and lore. Alas, when the sun rose at the wee hour of 6am, they departed on the train to Hamilton. We may meet again in the south of this counrty, but it's just as possible that it will be in the south of Italy.

I've been meeting so many wonderful people on this journey. I'm just so very grateful.

I do miss you all dearly and hope you're well.

Thursday, 17 January 2013

Got caught in two torrential downpours... and still loving it!

A 3-4 hour ride turned into over 8 hours of riding today. Made it to a hostel shivering, soaked, and ELATED about such an epic and wondrous experience. Well over 200k in, with only 800 to go! 
Nice fishing spot
Lovers quarrel over how big that fish really is
3 hours in.. Can I just lay here for a while?

Just got bum directions that turned 4hrs of riding into over 8. It better be beautiful!
Still beautiful!
Ode to the fallen ones... as logging is everywhere.
Leaving the Firth (bay) of Thames.. You can almost see Auckland in the Distance
Nice spot nestled in the woods
Most northern village on the Coromandel peninsula
Bring it on!
Getting closer? Or is just an illusion?
Here come the 1st of 2 torrential downpours. Totally soaked!
Reached the highest crest of the day.. Whew!
Red flowers begin to brighten up the landscape
New bioregion.. beautiful ferns and mangroves
Lush spot
Picturesque
A farming and grazing dream land
The sheep drastically outnumber people up here.  Cold.. bit lonely.. Ewe! ;) 
Meditation center ahead..
Did I say I love it here?
Final descent into Coromandel area
Finding salvation... as I'm almost (2 hours left) there. Whew!

Wednesday, 16 January 2013

Leaving for Cathedral cove after a quick lunch in Thames.. hoping to get there before nightfall. Wish me luck & help me pray for sunshine! Much love to ya'll.

Couple days with the sniffles and then back on the road... and loving it!

Besting these hills tomorrow

Looks just like an Alaskan summer

Good idea... just a few days late.

Rainbow over Kaiaua. Tough ride with big wind.

Protected forest

The seals have had enough

Word

Trading forests for cows.. Cows everywhere!

Figure that one out and get back to me. :)