Taupo – Turangi – Tongariro National Park

Well into middle earth N.Z now. A very Scenic Lake Taupo Ride, Get into Turangi,Trout fishing capital of N.Z, later that evening, and find our selves a t a hostel, run by Ian and his family, As hostels go this  one was very cosy, and not over the top in cost as we have found N.Z to be.  We stayed a couple of days, Ian, is an exceptional host, who lives there and is always of great humour, and always helpful, he liked to have a couple  of aussies there………..
We hike the,  Tongariro Alpine crossing, Ian Shuttles us in at 5AM, the hike is day 3 ,of a 4 day hike and is regarded as one of the best one day hikes on the planet, it was Awesome, you take in Mt Ngauruhoe (which is Mt Doom, in lord of the Rings), Mt Ruapehu 2797m   (Moordoor, Lord of the rings) ,and a lot of active geothermal areas, like a lot of N.Z no photo can give justice , see this place if you can, we were fortunate to have semi clear weather to see all the vistas……. Shauno, from Canada, thanks for the trout mate.

           

Rotorua – Lake Okaro – Lake Taupo

Done a lap of town, cycled out of town on the Te Ara Ahi cycle trail, then cycled to Lake Okaro , claudia has a swollen ankle, so were going easy…Lake Okaro, Swans , Frogs, ducks, and many bird song i have never heard……vego feedbag. A point to consider ,we are fuelled by a plant based diet, and have zero issues with stamina, and endurance, so its high carb, , i believe the high protein theory is not  for everyone , go bananas…………Sunset over the lake…….all is good in the tent……….Mist on the lake as the sunrays break through to kiss the water….. say good bye to our fellow campers from the cheks republic.
Cycle on through the mountains to Taupo, rains set in a bit and decide on a campground  and hot shower……..lake Taupo, is an inland ocean, huge, and beautiful, Taupo is a touristy little town but friendly, we stock up. In the park, meet a lady, her story is not unlike many I've heard……comes over on holiday from oz, Paddington Sydney, Australia, my birth town in the 60,s and meets her soulmate, in Taupo, and has lived her  rich life here ever since…… who can tell,
Amazing thing ,when I have time to think, is to reinforce the concept of never assuming anything about anyone you meet, every one has a  complex story, and what you assume in your analysing brain, is usually not how it really is…….give love,  it ripples around  earth way after your gone ……….Tony and Debbie from Hawaii, were great fun to meet, Tonys inspired to do some cycle tours, I'm inspired to visit them …….…………. Claudia's ankle gets the thumbs up from the local surgery at Taupo. she should rest it but we pedal on south.........

     

Kawakawa Bay - Paeroa – Opal Springs - Rotorua

Good early start, roll into Paeora late in the evening. 98ks today not to bad only a couple of days on the bike, stocking up in town late we are really buggered……..and out of the blue……… meet Annie and Trevor  from just out of town….anyhow they offered  us a place for the night at there cosy little cottage at Mackaytown,great evening with the guys dinner ,mullwine, a hot shower and bed…gold…..   thanks Annie and Trevor for such  a warm stay, you guys rock….. ……… leave Annie and Trevs in the morn wind our way to Opal Springs camp, via Te Aroha, Okauia, Te Poi, and enjoy the hot thermal springs there. Awesome after a good days ride, we are feeling the body adjusting, it will take two weeks i reckon before all the muscles adjust ,so for a while its a really sore arse, and aching muscles, met a load of backpackers, German, Austrian, Checz Republic, Holland, Denmark, Malaysia, and Tawain, Northern European,s represent a big slice of the travellers here mainly because of generous visa offered to some of those euro countries, So another camp another morning, Rotorua today via Hwy  28 and 5, not the best bicycle route, there's  a 22k steady climb, 
Just before the decent in Rotorua, met Brefney, pedaltheplanet , an irish touring cyclist with most positive outlook on life you could imagine , he has networked a load of irish hosts in n.z, were he has been staying, Brefney is pedalling the planet……..  for a good cause, good to meet other cyclist at times to share our tours……so big long downhill to Rotorua,  stunning vistas, wind in your hair….well deserved  Ey!
Camped at the thermal park, the sulphur in the air, is now soaking in to our bones, heavy rain, on our tent, warm, think of the day, think of home, dream…..tommorow head towards great lake at Taupo, the size of Singapore, i think its a left over crater from a volcano…….oh yeh forgot ..dream