Orewa > Sandspit

Here we go! I was waiting impatiently for that moment: one week of sunny weather non stop says the forecast. It is time for a spin. Objective, 50km per day in direction of Kerikeri because work seems to be around this area. The main road is not too bad, nearly easy except for the traffic and the pollution. Fortunately, I have my tiny mirror that I used constantly.

After about three quater of the road between Warkworth and Sandspit, I was reaching the top of a hill when a motorcycle overtook me and stopped few hundreds meters away. At first I was not sure if that was for me or not but the guy and (I believe) his son seemed to look back towards me. I cycled to their level and straight away the guy says: ” Hey, my name is Yan, I’ve been touring/cycling like you just a few months ago in Asia. If you want, you can sleep at my place tonight. I live few hundred meters away on the left hand side. It’s easy to find, ok?” Me: “Ooo-kay”. Wow, I did not expect this but the guy seems honest.

A moment later, I arrive at what I think is the place he described to me earlier but I don’t see any motorcycle. That’s weird. What I am going to say to the owner if that’s not the Yan, I met a moment ago. Maybe that’s not the right house. Finally I didn’t dare to knock the door and kept cycling a bit further. “Rah… there is a steep slope now going down hill… I’m pretty sure that was his house but I cannot confirm 100%. If that’s the case I will have to climb this one up on my way back. Anyway, the campsite is this way so I will visit around and come back later if I have too.

I reach Sandspit. The landscape remains wonderful. The campsite seems very nice but I would feel bad about Yan’s invitation. At least I must try to go back. Ok, let’s go to what I think is his house. After I climb that steep hill, I arrive to the supposed Yan’s home and ‘yes’, this time the motocycle is back! That must be the right place.

I meet Yan again who explained to me that he had to deposit his son to his ex-wife first. Reason why he was not here when I arrived the first time. He also tells me that he is a yoga teacher and does sculpting as a passed time. His terrace has the best view on the valley where I came from today. ‘You’ can be zen with such a beautiful landscape.

We discussed about touring the whole night. Yan showed me some of his pictures he took along the way. While I was taking a shower, he went out and bought 2 fish n’ chips. He explained that he cycled more than 4000km in Europe and something like 2000km in New Zealand. Last January, he spent 1 month between Cambodia, Laos and Thailand. Finally the night was falling and I thought it might be a right time to leave and reach the campsite I’ve seen earlier but Yan told me that I could stay for the night, no problem. I set up my sleeping bag in the living room and I was set for the night. What a lucky day 🙂