STRESS!!!!

Before I unload my stresses onto you, I did start my trip quite the opposite. I was lucky that my old roommate from Halifax was just finishing her last day in NZ the day after my arrival! Jocelyne and I got to reunite in the kiwi sun basking in the beautiful gardens and waterfront. Was "sweet az" as they say here in NZ.

Then the stress hit in. One word: Rugby. Full on madness. If Rugby wasn't taking over the country than I could have dealt with bike problems and anything else that came up no prob; I would have just stayed longer and worked it before moving on. Not the case when all the hostels are at full capacity and if you do manage to find accommodations then the prices were JACKED. I was running in to issues getting my bike tuned up and suited with panniers and I was also running out of time to deal with it. I had to jump between hostels and bike shops and couldn't logistically figure out how the hell to get me and my bike out of Auckland to start riding north. I had grand plans to be in Whangarei for the Canada vs New Zealand match. How sick would that be? But I was not willing to cycle in, around and out of Auckland - pure stress. I like small towns that are manageable and highways where I'm not competing with back to back traffic running at 120 km an hour. I like my life too much to opt for that death wish. So, I literally stopped sleeping at night because I was so stressed trying to get my bike ready to ride and a plan out of the city. I went back and forth to the bike shop three times on my last day and they told me I'm probably not going anywhere soon.

Panic set in. I had nowhere to stay and had just booked a train in the midst of previous stresses to the closest small town; it departs early the next morning. Bye-bye Northlands... My only option was to go south. If I missed that train I couldn't catch it again for three days. I left the bike shop, drank a vodka soda with a lemon and lime wedge with a splash of cran (my specialty) and started researching last minute options where I could stay in Auckland if my bike wasn't ready. I headed back to the bike shop - solutions were had! So I thought. I left excited and thinking all was well. I even made a stop at the NZ chocolate shop where I met a vietnamese woman who offered to host me there if I go! Perhaps my plans are changing for the better indeed. We're going to be FB friends.

I went to load my bike as a test before setting off - THE BAGS DIDN'T FIT. More panic. I called my now close friend Ed at the bike shop who said to come back again and we'll sort it out.

Long story made semi-short. I made it on the train the next morning where I got off in Otorohanga. I saw a kiwi bird and started cycling.

God it felt good to be on that bike through those rolling hills. I was smiling and happy and free. I felt like all efforts were worth it. I was just perfectly content as if at that time I was exactly were I was supposed to be.

Then my front derailed broke. Dreamy bubble popped at kilometer 15.

To be continued...