dst. (km) Today 61.26 Trip total 61.3 Odometer 2379.7
We woke to a mostly clear sky. Sleeping in late and unpacking the bikes meant that we didn’t get away from Paengaroa until about 10:30 for the drive down to Rotorua.
Parking the bus and trailer in Rotorua at lunch time on a Saturday wasn’t easy, but Phil found a spot while Jo and I made our first visit to a New Zealand bank.
Forest near Lake Waikaremoana
Then back on the road for the drive to Murapara, a quick look around the tourist information centre, and on to the riding.
Thick vegetation all around us, the roadsides were covered in plants that only grow in gardens in Australia. No birds or animals anywhere, just the odd dead possum. Derelict cars dumped at the side of the road, derelict cars being driven past. Most cars are full of Maoris, nearly everyone waved as they passed.
The town of Ruatahuna was shut. Supposedly our lunch stop, the motel/shop/petrol station was closed until further notice, so we set up the barbecue and had an early dinner on their lawn. Every dog in the town within earshot barked from the moment we arrived until we left.
Jo called it a day here, 47km of hilly dirt roads were enough. I rode on for another 10km, about two thirds of the way up Taupepe saddle, but by then it was getting dark and I was very tired, so I gratefully hopped in the bus when they caught me.
Amazingly, we had avoided the rain all day, and made it to Lake Waikaremoana in time for sunset, a cup of tea, a much-needed shower, and bed.
Where?
Paengaroa(-37.816667,176.416667) Rotorua(-38.109167,176.317222) Murapara(-38.46667,176.70000) Ruatahuna(-38.5500,176.9500) Waikaremoana(-38.8000,177.1167)
