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Today we are having a free day in Tokomaru Bay, a sleepy little village with beautiful beaches and vistas. The cover photo was taken from the deck of our little cabana at Brian's Place our hostel home for one more night.
Yesterday was a long ride from Gisborne, about 95 kilometers according to my GPS, with others saying it was either more or less depending the calibration of individual bike computers. I will accept 95 k as close enough. That is the longest ride I have done since last September and my legs certainly let me know it! It was a lovely ride all the way sometimes along the coast and then winding up into the interior hills and then back down to the coast. Some easy stretches mixed in with some rather challenging hills. The hills were reminiscent of the Cabot Trail which I rode in 2010 with TDC. Very steep grades and just as steep descents. I'm not sure which was worse the struggle up or the white knuckle ride down! But we all made it to our destination with lots of time to share stories at Happy Hour.
Brian's Place is a lovely little backpackers hostel situated above the town with every room having a view of the ocean. Mary and I are sharing a private little cabana -like hut completely open to the sea breezes and ocean views. We are having amazingly good sleeps lulled by the sound of ocean waves lapping the shore.
This morning we trekked off to what we thought would be a dip in a local hot spring only to be disappointed as it proved to be not much more than a bathtub sized pool that was lukewarm and stinking of sulphur, plus the proprietors wanted a $5 admission charge. Needless to say we did not indulge, it just didn't seem worth the $5. So we trekked back to town and spent the afternoon walking the beaches and visiting the local tavern. I am now resting in my little cabana before starting dinner as it is our turn to cook once again. Tonight it is vegetarian chili.
Tomorrow we head off to Hicks Bay where we will stay for 2 days. I will post this when we next get wifi.
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