Dam – Simply Cyling Around

Siem Reap
Day 1Making ceramic
- Mar
- 15
- 2026
- Cambodia
- SIem Reap
Today we go experience making ceramic pot with Nary at Khmer Ceramic. Our friend Buket who works there offered us one free lesson.

Siem Reap

In Siem Reap

Napier, first visit
- Nov
- 09
- 2012
Today I’m going to visit the city, not in detail, but a tour here and there to discover the atmosphere. The weather is perfect and I hope it will stay like this!
Napier
Day 8Putorino > Napier
- Nov
- 08
- 2012
Today I should arrive to Napier where I planned to stays few days. The least I can do is take a shower haha :-) There are different things to visit here. Hence, if I’m lucky I could find work as well :-) Here we go! There are vineyards everywhere around this city. French catholics missioners have planted the first vineyards in 1851 and imported Chardonnay, Sauvignon, Cabernet, Merlot and other grape varieties to the area.
Putorino
Day 7Whakaki > Putorino
- Nov
- 07
- 2012
Today is one of the most difficult day. It’s cold, rainy, hilly and the road feels endless. There is nothing special around here. Only nature, roads, fields. Nothing to visit so I don’t want to spend much time. Initially I planned to spend 4 days to join Napier (Wiki) but 3 could be possible if I push myself a bit. I’ve rode 20 km onto the flat and this hill separates me from Waiora (Wiki), the next town. I know that already because a guy from a shop where I stopped yesterday told me everything about the road.
Day 6Gisborne > Whakaki
- Nov
- 06
- 2012
That day was not the most interesting trip apparently. I totally forgot to take any picture! The one that you see is actually a screenshot from Google Street View.
Hawke's bay
Gisborne
Gisborne
Day 5Gisborne, visit around and fireworks
- Nov
- 05
- 2012
Today, I take one day to visit Gisborne. The weather is nice and warm. It is a good occasion for a tour… by bike of course, always :-) Tonight we will have a party on the beach with everyone. Guy Fawkes Night (Wiki) is an old English event celebrated each year on the evening of November 5th with bonfires, fireworks and family gatherings.
Day 4Gisborne, house painting, part 2
- Nov
- 04
- 2012
Today the weather is unstable but we plan to finish painting the house before Jane, Maila and Brownie come back. They will have a good surprise: a new yellow house :-).
Day 3Gisborne, house painting, part 1
- Nov
- 03
- 2012
Yesterday Chris offered me to do some painting. Why not :-). I like this type of work opportunity. That’s cool, it’s like Wwoofing.
Gisborne
Day 2Tolaga bay > Gisborne
- Nov
- 02
- 2012
Today I’m on my way to Gisborne. I will meet Maila there for the last time because tomorrow she is going to participate to a triathlon.
Tolaga bay
Day 1Ruatoria > Tolaga bay
- Nov
- 01
- 2012
Today I continue my trip. I had a great time with you Maila, Caila and Ramai :-). I need to open my eyes a bit more, take a shower, finish packing my stuff and I will hit the road again!

Ruatoria

North island East coast riding

Ruatoria, last day
- Oct
- 31
- 2012
Today is Halloween and my last day with Maila, Kaila and Ramai. So, I’ve decided to cook an Italian meal because …why not :-)?
Ruatoria
- Oct
- 30
- 2012
Since I arrived at Maila's home I could never approach her cat. She is very shy and does not show up very often. Her name fits her very well: Shadow. I finally have a picture of her now :-).
Ruatoria, Maori festival
- Oct
- 29
- 2012
Maila showed me a DVD where her children participated to a Maori festival. They dance and sing traditional songs. The energy of the little one is quite amazing! Enjoy :-).
Ruatoria, crêpes
- Oct
- 29
- 2012
This morning I packed up my bike because I planned to continue my trip on Wednesday after a really good rest with Maila, Kaila et Ramai.
Ruatoria > Gisborne (return)
- Oct
- 28
- 2012
Today, we are going to Gisborne with Maila and Ramai. Maila is going to participate to a 10km marathon. While she will be running I will visit the city with Ramai :-).
Ruatoria
- Oct
- 27
- 2012
Today my goal is to give a second life to Maila’s computer. After few hours of work I finally found the problem, the freacking antivirus occupied all the system and blocked internet.
Ruatoria, cooking day
- Oct
- 26
- 2012
After the crêpes, I would like to cook something else but what… Mum the Tartiflette (Wiki) was a good idea but I could not find the famous cheese. That’s a problem to made this recipe haha. Finally I decided to make croissant! That’s really French :-)
Ruatoria, blog update
- Oct
- 25
- 2012
Today, I’m spending my time updating my blog. Maila has a tablet that I can use. After few months using it I can see where there are problems so I’m working on it.
Ruatoria, lazy day off
- Oct
- 24
- 2012
Nothing today, just relaxing (but those last days I’m always relaxing haha :-).
Ruatoria, miam!
- Oct
- 23
- 2012
This evening I cooked one of my favorite ditches :-). Prawns, coco milk, curry, tomatoes, pineapples and white rice mmmh :-).
Ruatoria, marbles
- Oct
- 23
- 2012
Yes, I’m still in Ruatōria having a good time with Maila, Caila and Ramaï. This afternoon is warm and it’s nice to start outside in the garden doing nothing special :-).
Ruatoria, visit around
- Oct
- 22
- 2012
Today it’s Monday but no one is going to work or school. Maila offered that we visit around Tikitiki (Wiki). I’ve cycled through that town on the way here but I didn’t take the time to have a look.
Ruatoria, carving lesson
- Oct
- 21
- 2012
Today, I’m invited by John to learn how to carve in bones. He has been doing this for 25 years as a hobby. He told me that, one day, some people from UK approached him and bought 4 pieces from him and put them in a museum in London :-).
Ruatoria
Mount Hikurangi > Ruatoria
- Oct
- 20
- 2012
Today I will come back to Ruatoria to Maila’s family. This time I will spend more time at the 1000 meters plateau to take some good pictures of the statues :-).
- 35 km
- .7 km
Hut
Ruatoria > Mount Hikurangi
- Oct
- 19
- 2012
Today is the day! I'm going to reach the highest non volcanic mountain of North island. Finally I decided to go by bike because John, Maila ‘s friend, told me that it was possible to ride up to a certain point. It’s a long trip to arrive up there but it will be worth it.
- 35 km
- 3.5 km

In Siem Reap

Hawke's bay

Gisborne

North island East coast riding