Dam – Simply Cyling Around

Siem Reap
Making ceramic
- Mar
- 15
- 2026
- Cambodia
- SIem Reap
Today we go experience making ceramic pot with Nary at Khmer Ceramic. Our friend Buket who works there offered us one free lesson.
Napier
Putorino > Napier
- Nov
- 08
- 2012
Today I should arrive to Napier where I planned to stays few days. The least I can do is take a shower haha :-) There are different things to visit here. Hence, if I’m lucky I could find work as well :-) Here we go! There are vineyards everywhere around this city. French catholics missioners have planted the first vineyards in 1851 and imported Chardonnay, Sauvignon, Cabernet, Merlot and other grape varieties to the area.
Putorino
Whakaki > Putorino
- Nov
- 07
- 2012
Today is one of the most difficult day. It’s cold, rainy, hilly and the road feels endless. There is nothing special around here. Only nature, roads, fields. Nothing to visit so I don’t want to spend much time. Initially I planned to spend 4 days to join Napier (Wiki) but 3 could be possible if I push myself a bit. I’ve rode 20 km onto the flat and this hill separates me from Waiora (Wiki), the next town. I know that already because a guy from a shop where I stopped yesterday told me everything about the road.
Gisborne > Whakaki
- Nov
- 06
- 2012
That day was not the most interesting trip apparently. I totally forgot to take any picture! The one that you see is actually a screenshot from Google Street View.
Gisborne
Gisborne, visit around and fireworks
- Nov
- 05
- 2012
Today, I take one day to visit Gisborne. The weather is nice and warm. It is a good occasion for a tour… by bike of course, always :-) Tonight we will have a party on the beach with everyone. Guy Fawkes Night (Wiki) is an old English event celebrated each year on the evening of November 5th with bonfires, fireworks and family gatherings.
Gisborne, house painting, part 2
- Nov
- 05
- 2012
Today the weather is unstable but we plan to finish painting the house before Jane, Maila and Brownie come back. They will have a good surprise: a new yellow house :-).
Gisborne, house painting, part 1
- Nov
- 03
- 2012
Yesterday Chris offered me to do some painting. Why not :-). I like this type of work opportunity. That’s cool, it’s like Wwoofing.
Gisborne
Day 2Tolaga bay > Gisborne
- Nov
- 02
- 2012
Today I’m on my way to Gisborne. I will meet Maila there for the last time because tomorrow she is going to participate to a triathlon.
Tolaga bay
Day 1Ruatoria > Tolaga bay
- Nov
- 01
- 2012
Today I continue my trip. I had a great time with you Maila, Caila and Ramai :-). I need to open my eyes a bit more, take a shower, finish packing my stuff and I will hit the road again!

Ruatoria

North island East coast riding

Ruatoria, last day
- Oct
- 31
- 2012
Today is Halloween and my last day with Maila, Kaila and Ramai. So, I’ve decided to cook an Italian meal because …why not :-)?
Ruatoria
- Oct
- 30
- 2012
Since I arrived at Maila's home I could never approach her cat. She is very shy and does not show up very often. Her name fits her very well: Shadow. I finally have a picture of her now :-).
Ruatoria, Maori festival
- Oct
- 29
- 2012
Maila showed me a DVD where her children participated to a Maori festival. They dance and sing traditional songs. The energy of the little one is quite amazing! Enjoy :-).
Ruatoria, crêpes
- Oct
- 29
- 2012
This morning I packed up my bike because I planned to continue my trip on Wednesday after a really good rest with Maila, Kaila et Ramai.
Ruatoria > Gisborne (return)
- Oct
- 28
- 2012
Ruatoria
- Oct
- 27
- 2012
Today my goal is to give a second life to Maila’s computer. After few hours of work I finally found the problem, the freacking antivirus occupied all the system and blocked internet.
Ruatoria, cooking day
- Oct
- 26
- 2012
After the crêpes, I would like to cook something else but what… Mum the Tartiflette (Wiki) was a good idea but I could not find the famous cheese. That’s a problem to made this recipe haha. Finally I decided to make croissant! That’s really French :-)
Ruatoria, blog update
- Oct
- 25
- 2012
Today, I’m spending my time updating my blog. Maila has a tablet that I can use. After few months using it I can see where there are problems so I’m working on it.
Ruatoria, lazy day off
- Oct
- 24
- 2012
Nothing today, just relaxing (but those last days I’m always relaxing haha :-).
Ruatoria, miam!
- Oct
- 23
- 2012
This evening I cooked one of my favorite ditches :-). Prawns, coco milk, curry, tomatoes, pineapples and white rice mmmh :-).
Ruatoria, marbles
- Oct
- 23
- 2012
Yes, I’m still in Ruatōria having a good time with Maila, Caila and Ramaï. This afternoon is warm and it’s nice to start outside in the garden doing nothing special :-).
Ruatoria, visit around
- Oct
- 22
- 2012
Today it’s Monday but no one is going to work or school. Maila offered that we visit around Tikitiki (Wiki). I’ve cycled through that town on the way here but I didn’t take the time to have a look.
Ruatoria, carving lesson
- Oct
- 21
- 2012
Today, I’m invited by John to learn how to carve in bones. He has been doing this for 25 years as a hobby. He told me that, one day, some people from UK approached him and bought 4 pieces from him and put them in a museum in London :-).
Mount Hikurangi > Ruatoria
- Oct
- 20
- 2012
Today I will come back to Ruatoria to Maila’s family. This time I will spend more time at the 1000 meters plateau to take some good pictures of the statues :-).
Ruatoria > Mount Hikurangi
- Oct
- 19
- 2012
Today is the day! I'm going to reach the highest non volcanic mountain of North island. Finally I decided to go by bike because John, Maila ‘s friend, told me that it was possible to ride up to a certain point. It’s a long trip to arrive up there but it will be worth it.
Ruatoria
- Oct
- 18
- 2012
This morning I should have been ready to go to Mount Hikurangi (Wiki) but the wind and the clouds are coming. It’s not a good idea to be up there alone with this kind of weather.
Ruatoria, visit around
- Oct
- 17
- 2012
After discussing with Maila about the point of interest around this region, she advised me to go to Mount Hikurangi (Wiki). I will go tomorrow. I’m going to stay one night in a hut :-). Maila will bring me to the bottom before her work. She also recommended to visit the forest next to the city where we have a beautiful view from the top. That’s my plan for today :-)
East Cape > Ruatoria
- Oct
- 16
- 2012
5:50am, the alarm rings. I planed to see the sunrise and take the best pictures I can. I will be one of the first — with some islands like Fiji (Wiki) — to see the sun rise today. It’s not happening everywhere in the world and I want to see that! There is 700 steps between the top and the carpark so hurry!
Papatea Bay > East Cape
- Oct
- 15
- 2012
Today, I'm going to each another end point of New Zealand, East Cape! I hope I will be able to go as close as possible of the light house like in Cape Reinga :-)
Tirohanga > Papatea Bay
- Oct
- 14
- 2012
Today the weather better suits my cycling style :-) I continue my tour around the Gisborne district (Wiki). There is no mobile coverage here and that’s a good thing. This time I might succeed at disconnecting myself :-)
Tirohanga
- Oct
- 13
- 2012
As no surprise, the rain is back. For sure I won’t go anywhere today… This picture doesn’t represent the reality because I took it after the storm was gone.