TA Day 2: Hokianga Harbour and the Waipoua Forest

TA day 02 - Off to see Tane Mahuta from Robert and Marianne on Vimeo.

Today was a very undulating journey south from Ninety Mile Beach, across the Hokianga Harbour on a ferry and then through the Waipoua Forest.

A long day; at 143 km it's by far the furthest I've ever ridden in a day! I arrived at camp after dark. I did have a late start though, waiting for my day 1 video to upload before I could start. Sigh - technology!

A highlight of the day was Tane Mahuta, a gigantic kauri tree thought to be over 1200 years old. 

   

And then descending a big hill through the Waipoua Forest with kauri towering overhead in gorgeous end-of-day light, and with no other cars on the road was amazing. I even got to see the sun sinking into the Taman sea as I rode along a high ridge.

The other highlight of the day was meeting other travellers and locals. Opinini was full of friendly folk visiting the best takeaway in town as I devoured a burger and icecream. The town of Waimamaku was gearing up for their annual Wild West Festival tomorrow. They even have a shoot up in the street! (Glad I passed through today rather than tomorrow!). Another small community I passed at 8pm was packing up for the day a stall of wholesome vegetarian food they are setting up daily to cater for the TA riders. And when I arrived at camp some other campers brought over a couple of sausages in buns. So kind! And of course they all want to know what on earth I'm doing (which I asked myself a few times today).

For those interested (you know who you are), the pie count is at 1, and no flats yet.

I am having some technology issues at the moment due to my power bank dying. I'll be looking for a replacement in Dargaville tomorrow. I NEED power for navigation, photos, planning ahead and doing these blogs! It's nearly as important as my bike and body working!