New Zealand – North Island
Despite leaving Tassie in the early afternoon, I didn’t arrive in Auckland until Midnight – thanks to there not being any direct flights and having to fly through Melbourne! And thanks to New Zealand’s strict biosecurity at the airport, its takes almost 2 hours from getting my stuff, and going through customs and security – getting my bike looked at, my tent cleaned and my boots cleaned.
I stay at a hostel close to the airport for a couple of nights before heading to the city. In the city I get my bike fixed up, and get the tyres replaced, which are almost totally shredded! And get my route planned, and accom sorted for the first few nights. This time around i’ve decided to use warmshowers.org instead of couchsurfing, which is very similar, but more aimed at the cycling community.
For this tour, I haven’t planned my days and accommodation as meticulously as I usually would. I was taking this one more day by day, and the reason why I didn’t publish my route before the ride, was because I didn’t want to feel any expectations. This ride was for fun and to just be enjoying the road. I was in New Zealand biding my time right now, until I could reset my visa to head back to Australia. I was excited to see New Zealand, and to not have a plan – something I normally hate, but I was happy and I was content. I knew I had a countdown to where I wanted to be and who I wanted to be with, so I was ready to go see what the North Island had in store for me 🙂
Auckland… I didn’t care much for you 6 years ago when I was last here, and I didn’t care much for you now. I’m not a city girl. I was ready to get out, ready to hit the road! I knew I had to do a little planning though and fix my bike up. Amongst that I did manage a quick ‘practice’ ride, up to Mount Eden, which was a nice gradual ride up, and nice to have the bike without all the gear on it, and the ride down was of course fun – And with new tyres the bike felt a lot better!
I realised I was up at Mount Eden this time 6 years ago, with friends I was travelling and visiting with in Auckland. I can’t believe I’m back in NZ, and I’m about to see it from a totally different perspective. The last 6 years have been quite the journey, and If anything I’m ready to see how I’ve grown and how I see the same places again!
Tomorrow I head towards the Coromandel and staying at my first warmshowers host in Thames! It’s a big ride, but the first day always seems to be. Ready to be back on the road!
