Matauri bay > Coopers beach

I’m not sure what does “gorgeous” mean exactly but I feel this is the right word 🙂

Yesterday was so easy to ride down this road. The thing is, there is only one way to join Matauri bay so now I have to go from sea level up to 200m until I join the main road again, arf!

Finally on the top, the view is still beautiful! I know I repeat myself but it is!

I’m back down to the sea level again and here is another wonderful beach. It’s empty as the others. Whouahou! New Zealand as too many beaches compared to the amount of people that can enjoy them. Very different from the south of France where I live.

That’s the name just in case:-)

Sometimes I wonder where are the normal houses. All these houses are so colorful and have different shapes. Really amazing.

Before this picture, situated in a valley, I reached another high point, the second one of this day. That was difficult but I did it…

When I arrived to the top, I met a man who was working outside, next to his house. He explained to me that he was transforming his house to a bed n’ breakfast accommodation. His house is an old military barrack which used to contain 25 persons. It used to have a really big radio antenna next to the house. He invited me inside to show me a paint that he did of this place during the war (1941). He told me many things about the war, it was really interesting.

After few minutes we came back outside and he explained me something about an electric line which was cut and became dangerous. So, he was waiting for a truck to fix the problem. Ok, that’s not an interesting detail but it will be later. So, we discussed a little bit more and finally I continued my way down the valley after this interesting meeting :-).

Just when it was getting flat, I saw on the other side of the road two trucks and I’ve could read something like “line repair…” it reminded me the line problem that the man was talking about. At first, the trucks seemed to stop but then came back to my direction. I was sure they were looking for the place up to the hill so I reached out to them to indicate the right way. What a chance for them 🙂 Fortunately the man told me about his problem so I could help him in return 🙂 Cool!

The “military man” I met earlier has the same mail box :-). That’s called recycling right?

Finally, after 68km I arrived to Manganui, “Coopers beach” to be precised. It’s really near. But there is no camp! I found a youth camp but it’s not available for everybody. I’m really tired and a man told me that the nearest camp is about 12km from here. Aaaah! I can’t go there! It’s too far now.

This place is quiet, hidden from the main road and facing the beach. I will stay here for one night. Adventure! I’ll put my tent when it will be dark because few people are passing onto the beach now.

Ok now it’s good. Go!

To finished this hard day,
a good meal is the best way.

Good night!