The next bike shop was north (I'm heading south) and quite far. So naturally I started crying at the information centre.

That got attention.

And then that got me help. Fast. People are so great here - sometimes I feel like i could be back on the rock, just with very different scenery and accents.

So a local Joe, well actually his name was Steve, saved the day. He fixed my bike (well... kind of fixed it. I've succumb to the fact that its just not going to work properly and will live with what I have). But he made me feel better about my situation and Louisa, the woman who found me balling in the info centre, set me up with grand plans for adventure.

I spent 5.5 hours caving today. Yes, it's touristy, but I'm a tourist and had a frikkin great time! I abseiled down into a cave, zip-lined in the dark through the cave with glowworms all around, tubed through the cold cave waters, hiked through the cave and then rock climbed up a waterfall. Seriously fun times. Plus one of the tour guides was a hot Maori man - bonus!

Tomorrow will be another adventure. The local shuttle driver offered for me to join him and his friend to Kawhi where he will be putting a few hours work into his cabin. We're going to take the scenic route. He told me people from this area are the nicest in the country. I told him he's doing a good job at proving that point! He'll drop me at the highway on the way back and off to Te Kuiti I go!

I don't have accommodations yet but im camping right now so that's a VERY VERY COLD OPTION. But an option none the less. Brrrrrrrrr.

Peace and bicycle grease,
Jessabell (nickname provided by hot Maori cave guide Matty)

Nb: Haven't been able to load photos yet... Technical difficulties. Will resolve that ASAP.