The day starts with a 5 minutes ferry trip. Today I’m going to go to Opoutere. The place is situated in an harbor between the beach, a sand dune and a pine forest. The landscape is similar to “les Landes” in France apparently.
In the ferry.
Crossing by mini ferry
I’m on the other side and ready to continue 🙂
I thought it was Cook beach already but it’s not. Doesn’t matter this beach is wonderful anyway.
15 minutes later, another one but still, it’s not Cook beach yet and it still beautiful.
I like this house. It has an amazing view, right in front of that beach.
Finally that’s Cook beach :-). I prefer the others smaller ones actually.
Behind me a tiny village composed with empty holidays houses.
A while later
I think that’s the first time I see some wine fields. Am I back in France already? :-).
And one more… Hahei beach this time. It’s almost boring hey? Beach, beach, beach, haha.
What a view! That’s the left side.
And that’s the right side.
I’m at the beginning of the path which goes ahead to Cathedral cove, a big arc carved by the ocean.
There is a cool car in this park :-).
On foot!
And… in the bush.
Lost!?
Ah, I’m not far away…
Once on the beach
Ahaaa! Oooh!
Here I am Cathedral Cove.
That’s the Manuka flower. The honey I bought last time is “made” from this flowers.
The visit ends here.
Back on the saddle
After 30km I need a break. It started raining and I have 40km more to do… Cool :-).
And one long hill finished (8km) to see what? This… Ok let’s keep going.
That’s my shorter visit of the day. I was going downhill when I saw the green and yellow DOC sign. It’s written “Twin Kauri Scenic Reserve”. Ok, I can visit the place but… Is there any kauri trees front of me already? That’s the end of the visit then haha :-).
A bit later
I’ve reached Tairua, it’s 15km away from my final destination. The particular shape of this mountain seems to be an old volcano.
It’s Mt Paku.
A little break is appreciated. The rain is not horrible, it’s not so hard and the wind is pushing me. That’s ok.
As usual, there are always huge empty houses which are waiting for summer time.
After a little break, I’m no my way to find the camp for tonight. On my right side these mountains looks like Pinnacles shape. And if I look to a map it should be possible because I’m not so far. On the other side of these mountains there is Thames.
I was on my way to reach the campsite when I discovered this place. Grass, toilets, bench… Interesting, very interesting :-).
Look at all that grass. It’s very tempting!
Installing my tent
It’s raining and I don’t want to pay for almost the same accommodation in an official camp so I’ve decided to stay here for the night. I will take a shower tomorrow.
Tonight, we have rice with hot chilly tuna and brocoli :-). Then a delicious kiwi for dessert. Miam! See ya!
C’est vraiment étrange ce gros rocher bizarre posé comme ça sur la plage !! et il y a même des arbustes qui poussent au somment.. étrange étrange.. les aliens seraient-ils passés par là ??
There are a lot big rocks like that, in Along bay (Vietnam). But soon, they’ll will disappear. No real protection for them and men break them to take the stones. In a moment, rock fall in the sea. That on the photograph I have for a long time…