Tirohanga > Papatea Bay

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 :-)

map


stack option: image

is full width: false

video link:

dialogue repeater: false

caption:

Ready to go, ready to ride! The last thing I need is to open my eyes haha! I still feel tired. I woke up at 7:10 am to be sure I will avoid the rain. Let’s see how it will turn out.


stack option: image

is full width: true

video link:

dialogue repeater: false

caption:

Nobody here, sometimes a car or two. The only overwhelming noise comes from the powerful ocean.


stack option: image

is full width: false

video link:

dialogue repeater: false

caption:

The road has been renovated recently. The old one passes on the other side of the this rocky mountain on the right hand side. It’s an impressive job to think about how engineers cut or slice the nature like this.


stack option: image

is full width: false

video link:

dialogue repeater: false

caption:

I’m going down through the biggest hill I’ve done so far. On the top, I had a break and met another traveller like me :-). He is going on the opposite direction. Poor him because he rides against the wind! This guy travels so lightly! I cannot figure out how that’s possible. Or maybe I’m the one carrying my apartment… He has four little bags of 10 liters each maybe and one mattress on top of his backpack. My 80l yellow bag could contain all his stuff. How does he manage to be so compact? I need to improve this part because I feel certainly too heavy. I could let go my pair of jeans, the new pullover I bought in Kerikeri, my swim suit and hat because I’ve never used them. That’s a total of 2,5 kilos roughly. Ah, and my heavy gum boots as well but I’m sure if I leave them now, in one week I will need them! So, that’s 4 kilos with the gumboots and… I still have many things to carry.
Another solution would be that I buy along the way. It could be a solution to reach the same packing size as this man but it is gonna cost more. Rah! I do not know… I have completely forgot the picture :-). Heuuu… the view! (not enough). The view on the river!… with a bridge… and trees around. Phew! So interesting :-)


stack option: image

is full width: false

video link:

dialogue repeater: false

caption:

On the left hand side, the river flows into the Pacific ocean.


stack option: image

is full width: true

video link:

dialogue repeater: false

caption:

This picture shows all the way down I’ve done without any effort, a long diagonal through the hill :-)


stack option: image

is full width: false

video link:

dialogue repeater: false

caption:

Almost from the same spot. This time: the wild beach.


stack option: image

is full width: false

video link:

dialogue repeater: false

caption:


stack option: image

is full width: false

video link:

dialogue repeater: false

caption:

I think I see a camp site down there. Some people are playing table tennis. I should go there and bet a winning game against a free night :-)


stack option: separator

is full width: false

separator: touring

A little while later

video link:

dialogue repeater: false

caption:

My “guide des frogs” book says it’s the last shop until Gisborne. I have to be sure I will have enough food for the next three days.


stack option: image

is full width: false

video link:

dialogue repeater: false

caption:

My “Guide des frogs” book says it’s the last shop until Gisborne. I better make sure I will have enough food for the next three days.


stack option: image

is full width: false

video link:

dialogue repeater: false

caption:

I might have a little issue with my phone… Yesterday, I left it in my tent during the storm and now it’s full of moisture. I’m trying to dry it under the sun but it’s not done yet. I don’t want to buy another one… I planned to keep it 8 more years!


stack option: image

is full width: false

video link:

dialogue repeater: false

caption:

Everyday has been sandwiches. It’s good to change sometimes :-)


stack option: image

is full width: true

video link:

dialogue repeater: false

caption:

After a fatty break, let’s continue!


stack option: image

is full width: false

video link:

dialogue repeater: false

caption:

I’m in Te Haka (Wiki) now. Wikipedia says: The New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage gives a translation of “the rope” for Te Kaha. The full name of Te Kaha is Te-Kahanui-A-Tikirākau.


stack option: image

is full width: false

video link:

dialogue repeater: false

caption:

This place is called a Marae (Wiki). There is one in every village or town here. It is consider as a traditional church for Māori.


stack option: image

is full width: false

video link:

dialogue repeater: false

caption:

This garden is cute, the wall is just there for decoration :-) Very peaceful and relaxed.


stack option: image

is full width: false

video link:

dialogue repeater: false

caption:

Kiwi fruits! The leaves are growing and March will be the picking season!


stack option: image

is full width: false

video link:

dialogue repeater: false

caption:

I was wondering Why are my pictures so dark?
I realized later on that the sand is actually black around here. That’s part of the answer :-)


stack option: image

is full width: true

video link:

dialogue repeater: false

caption:

I’m actually going up hill. The landscape is getting more and more beautiful!


stack option: image

is full width: false

video link:

dialogue repeater: false

caption:

Welcome Pacific ocean :-)


stack option: image

is full width: false

video link:

dialogue repeater: false

caption:

Blue on top of blue!


stack option: image

is full width: false

video link:

dialogue repeater: false

caption:

When it is not blue it is so green!


stack option: image

is full width: false

video link:

dialogue repeater: false

caption:

I’ve just reached the goal I set for today but I think I will continue a bit more. I still have some energy left after 70km. I ate so well this morning :-) Before continuing, I will verify the price; If that’s under $8NZD, I will stay here.


stack option: image

is full width: true

video link:

dialogue repeater: false

caption:

$12NZD. Bye bye then :-)


stack option: image

is full width: false

video link:

dialogue repeater: false

caption:

Wouhaou :-)


stack option: image

is full width: true

video link:

dialogue repeater: false

caption:

I left the sea shore for the countryside. It’s so quiet here. The wind is pushing me so that’s cool.


stack option: image

is full width: false

video link:

dialogue repeater: false

caption:

More kiwi fields I guess.


stack option: image

is full width: false

video link:

dialogue repeater: false

caption:

Usually I don’t take pictures of churches but this one looks great, and it is right on the beach!


stack option: separator

is full width: false

separator: touring

Searching for a potential spot

video link:

dialogue repeater: false

caption:

Ah no, I can go farther because there is a stream. I can ask to somebody if there is no problem if I stay here. This time I’m getting tired.


stack option: image

is full width: false

video link:

dialogue repeater: false

caption:

For few minutes, I’m wandering around this area searching for an eventual place where I could set up my tent for free. The map indicates Cape Runaway (Wiki) straight ahead. It could be a good place to stay tonight. A track is leading to what might be a dead end. I will have a look…


stack option: image

is full width: true

video link:

dialogue repeater: false

caption:

Unfortunately, I cannot go any further because a stream is cutting my way. I will ask permission to stay here. This time, I’m tired.


stack option: image

is full width: false

video link:

dialogue repeater: false

caption:

This house looks nice and quiet, let see if I can ask anyone.


stack option: separator

is full width: false

separator: touring

The unexpected happened!

video link:

dialogue repeater: false

caption:

After I set up my tent, she proposed me a cup of tea, thanks :-) She is living with her son, in his house. She used to be a nurse in Auckland but she moved here 8 years ago. Her son has a kiwi exploitation and they both ate really cool :-) Now I’ve came back in my tent to write my diary, eat my cold pasta I cooked yesterday and have a good sleep :-) Good day!


stack option: image

is full width: false

video link:

dialogue repeater: false

caption:

The plan as changed. I asked the owner of this house if I could set up my tent next to the ocean and without answering me she started to look for a place in her garden :-) Here I will be well protected from the wind. Cool!


stack option: separator

is full width: false

separator: rest

A little while later

video link:

dialogue repeater: false

caption:


stack option: image

is full width: false

video link:

dialogue repeater: false

caption:

After I set up my tent, she offered me a cup of tea. Thank you Madam :-) She lives with her son, in his house. She used to be a nurse in Auckland and she moved here 8 years ago. Her son has a kiwi exploitation. They are both really nice :-) Now I came back in my tent to write my diary and eat my cold pasta I cooked yesterday. I’m going to have a good sleep :-) See ya!