Day 7 - Orere Point

 Hello….i had a very fun and relaxing day.  It helped that the wind has finally calmed down, and so have the hills!  Apparently New Zealand is the hilliest place in the world….i did not fact checked this, just going by experience 😀😀

I said goodbye to my gracious hosts Della, Dave and Elizabeth - headed back to the bike shop with a few questions and some breakfast across the street.  I sat for a long time just enjoying FaceTime with Ted.  The shop was on the was to Mount Eden, photo checkpoint #5.

The 196m high Mayngawhau is the highest volcano in Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city.  Māori named this crater ‘Te Ipu-a-Mataaho’ - the bowl of Mataaho.  This is where Mataaho, god of secrets hidden within the earth, is said to have lived.  When his wife left him and took his clothes with her, the goddess Mahuta brought fires upon the earth to keep him warm.  These fires became the other volcanos in the Auckland area. 

From the top was a great view of Auckland and both the Pacific Ocean and the Tasman sea.  I cycled to the top, then once there was an elevated wooden path around the top….about 500m.  I started going around, then realized there were a few steps down, then a few more….then lots more.  I didn’t really think it through - so I ended up going all the way around, with about 20 sets of 4-5 steps that I bumped my bike down while trying not to lose my balance!!!  What I sight I must have been.  

This was an extra long detour after a leisurely breakfast.  So off I went through the city on bike paths out to the wharf to catch the ferry across to Pine Harbour.  I ran into two other TA participants and we had a nice visit on our way over.  I stopped for a leisurely lunch overlooking the Pacific Ocean.  It is so blue.  And beautiful.  And amazing.   I didn’t want to leave….but I did have to make some tracks.  It was almost 3 pm, and the only accommodations were back about 7 km, or forward 45km.  So off I went.  

I was by the ocean for a bit, then back inland.  I was passing by a house, surrounded by pots of flowers and two men standing outside.  The shouted out hello, and an offer of carrot cake and coffee…..yummy.  So I stopped for a brief visit and cake before continuing on.  

This camping spot is about 2.5km off the track, but the next camping spot is another 25km farther, and with darkness about 90 min away I decided to stay here instead of continuing on to the hot springs.  This is when I started to regret my leisurely breakfast and lunch.  😀😀😀

This camping place is nice, but there are several TA members at the hot springs.  My plan is to get going really early, and maybe I’ll catch up to a few and have some company tomorrow.