Arrived in New Zealand!!!!

 I’m all set up for my next adventure….the Tour Aotearoa.  The most challenging thing about this cycle tour is how to pronounce it? I’ve googled it several times…and I’ve been practicing it lots since I first thought about it….and although they say that practice makes perfect…. But if you’re not practicing it properly….well… it’s not good!  

Aotearoa is the Māori name for New Zealand and it means land of the long white cloud.  It was these clouds that assisted the Polynesians to find these Islands.  The tour is the length of both the North and the South Islands, distance 3000km.  In a few days there is an event called the Tour Aotearoa Brevet.  Not a race, but there are rules nonetheless!  Objective is to complete in 30 days, but cannot be fewer than 10 days with a minimum of 8 hours of rest per day.  No problem for me!  Although I was hoping to do it all alone, the Brevet is occurring at the same time, so I decided to join.  

The first day is 88 km of riding on what’s called 90 mile beach.  The timing of the start coordinates with the tides…start is 3 hours before low tide until 3 hours after low tide.  Should be doable unless there’s a strong head wind.  😳

I flew into Auckland this morning, with the plan of another flight into Kerikeri, then a bus into Kaitaia which would get me within 100 km of the start at Cape Reinga at the tip of the North Island.  Luckily my bicycle made it, but unfortunately my luggage did not.  I’ve packed for two adventures, cycling for 30 days, hiking for 2 weeks then motorcycle with Ted for 3 weeks.  Ted will bring my motorcycle gear, but the rest I have with me.  The hiking gear I will post to a friend in Christchurch rather than carrying it for the cycle tour.  Hopefully it will arrive tomorrow morning, if it does I will likely start cycling towards Kaitaia….and will only make it part way if I have a late departure.  Right now it’s a rest day that I didn’t want to have to take, but after 24 hours of travelling it’s maybe not such a bad thing!!!!  

As for the little bit that I’ve seen of New Zealand….I love it here.  The weather is fantastic, views are great, people are friendly and the sushi is fantastic!!!!  I love it here….and all I’ve seen is the inside of a couple of airports and a stroll around town!  Sure beats -30 and the 8 inches of snow I shovelled just before leaving!!!!  

The lady at the airport called the taxi for me, helped me find a room for tonight, and the bike shop is assembling my bicycle.  Perfect start to a holiday.