Kangaroo Island, Australia, 3/12/05

Kangaroo Island, Australia 3/12/05

This moment reminds me of the time I left Fraser Island, almost 3 years ago when Dave and I were again wandering around Australia. It’s an afternoon ferry ride off of an Australian Island, warm sun on my shaggy face, cool breeze, open water, and a quick moment on the top deck to get a journal entry down.

For the last 2 days Dave and I have been on an Adventure Tour with about 15 other International Backpackers. As usual I enjoyed the company as much as I enjoyed the scenery and wildlife which is saying a lot considering all the amazing things I saw on the large island known as Kangaroo Island.

When I arrived in Sydney a few days ago I was greeted with the news that a cyclone was about to make landfall at Port Douglas, the location I was to fly into that afternoon. Obviously my flight was delayed indefinitely. Knowing even if we waited out the storm, diving up there a couple days after a cyclone was not going to be possible so Dave and I made some quick changes to the trip. I’m disappointed I didn’t get another chance to see The Reef but heading to South Australia was a great decision.

We spent some time in Adelaide before hitting Kangaroo Island. Adelaide is a sleepy town despite the university that is there. The City was kind of boring compared to the non-stop thrill cities of New Zealand but looking back it was kind of nice; relaxing. No rush to be anywhere, long walks, an afternoon at Henley Beach. We even took in a couple movies at the local theater. Oh and lots of pictures of buildings. The city is full of cool old architecture especially the churches which the city is known for.

We will actually be spending tonight aback at the Canyon Street Backpackers in Adelaide but now with our Kangaroo Island friends, Lee, Sarah, and a bunch of other people whose names I can’t remember (surprise!) I have a feeling it will be a fun night out at the pubs and not a movie. Hell there is a pub connected to hostel. I imagine we’ll start there.

It’s good that Adelaide is relaxing because Kangaroo Island was exhausting. 2 days of go go go; climb up a steep hill, look around, and go back down to repeat it again. I may be 31 but I tackled each stop like a 12 year old. I was the first one off the bus, first one up the hill, climb that, jump off this. Much like when we went canyoning in New Zealand, I was entertainment to the rest of the people on the tour.

A couple times I tried not to be. I’d walk slower, stand in the back. Eventually I just couldn’t take it any longer and I would charge ahead. Oh well, I gotta be me. At the Little Sahara sand dunes I threw my body down the biggest dune to everyone’s amusement. I rolled like a log down the steep sand hill until my momentum finally stopped. I got back up, shook of the dizziness, and charged back up the dune to try it again. Dave got a good video of it and we have watched it a few times on the little camera screen. It cracks me up to see it. I can’t wait to see it on a bigger screen.

The landscape of Kangaroo Island was nice but of course after New Zealand it was not the highlight on the entire trip. The cliffs and shoreline of the island were pretty. The Remarkable Rocks were impressive and very fun to climb. The water was cold and great for swimming. The dirt roads and short gum trees really gave me the feel of being in the Outback even though we technically were not. However, no doubt the real highlight of Kangaroo Island was the wildlife.

Like a little kid at Show & Tell…I saw Koala Bears, Sea Lions, Fur Seals, Wallabies, lizards and lots of Kangaroos. I even petted one for awhile; a Small Gray of course. The Big Reds are cool to look at but way to big for even an idiot like me to try and touch. The only thing I didn’t see was the always elusive Duckbill Platypus.

I sat quietly next to a muddy pond that had a sign near it that said it was perfect Platypus habitat. Either the sign was too high or the Duckbill can’t read English because I don’t think they were there. Eventually I got frustrated and moved on to find the group. I guess I’ll wait until next time. Add it to my short list of things I still need to do in Australia.

Our one night stay on the island was also memorable. A hostel/camping ground; open air kitchen and dining area, bunkrooms with open air bathrooms. I loved it. Much earlier that day our tour guide/van driver, Scooter, stopped the van at the “bottle shop” and told us if we wanted to buy any drinks for the night we should do so now. Most people bought a small bottle of wine or a single drink. Dave and I bought a case of beer. Leave it to the Americans to know how to get the party started.

That night, as Scooter, also our chef, was making his spaghetti concoction for the group Dave pulled out his deck of cards and I hooked up my mp3 player to the vintage stereo in the dining area. We handed out some beers and got the party started. By Midnight all the beer was gone and only Dave, me, and a guy from Switzerland were left; all of us over 30. Posser Backpackers unite!

I should mention here a moment that happened last night while sitting around the table. A moment that woke me up to an inner conflict I have been working through, or avoiding really. It’s been in my brain for probably a year or so but it really became evident on this trip. The issue is my age or more specifically, my status in life at the ripe old age of 31. Have I accomplished what I “should have”? Am I wasting time? Etc.

I now realize just how much this has been on my mind lately despite what I verbally preach to everyone else. “Age is a state of mind….” and various other mantras relating to age, experience, wisdom, and status that I like to quote. I whole heartedly believed this when I was younger and trying to justify why I should be doing something but now I find myself embarrassed to say how old I am. It’s a perfect example of something being easier said than done….and thus being all the more reason why it’s important.

I realize that now and the moment that finally woke me up happened while sitting around a table playing cards drinking lukewarm beer with international friends for the night.

It was Dave and I, a guy from Switzerland, some girls from England and a couple other people whose countries of origin I didn’t get. In between one of the random card games one of the girls asked me how old I was. (Why the girls always ask this question and why it always seems to start with me I have no idea.) Without even thinking I lied and said 29. The age question went around the table and everyone answered and when it got to my Swiss friend he said “32”. By this point the cards had been shuffled, the next round started, and the conversation and laughs continued. His announcement that he was 32 didn’t shock anyone or change anything…not that I thought it would. So why was I so afraid to say that my real age was 31?!

I kept a smile on my face but in my head I felt very guilty and stupid. All this age BS I have been joking about is stupid. Age is a state of mind. I have few regrets in life and even the ones I have would not change where I am right now. I couldn’t be happier with the life path that I am following. It’s time I remember that.

After my guilt and the feeling inner stupidity started to pass, I made a promise to myself while still sitting around that table laughing with day old friends. From now on I will say my age proudly, happy with what I have accomplished and what I am doing. And if the day should come where I’m not happy then I’ll use it as wake up call to get my life back to where I want it. I will never lie about my age again, especially to myself.

Well they are calling me to come play cards below. I said I would so I guess I better; promises to keep and all. I don’t think these were the type of promises that Robert Frost was talking about but as usual his words instantly pop into my head.

“And miles to go before I sleep. And miles to go before I sleep.”

Boy ain’t that the truth!

MJF

Auckland, NZ 3/9/05

Auckland, NZ 3/9/05

It’s an early morning airport entry. Just a few hours ago on the dark streets of Auckland I felt like Harry Potter; 5 a.m., standing on an empty street in a big city, backpacks strapped to my front and back, waiting for a bus to pick me up. Granted it wasn’t London and I was waiting for a City bus on its regular schedule but if the Knight Bus would have rolled up like it occasionally does for Harry I would have probably gotten on it too.

It’s an odd feeling to be in such a big place with tall buildings all around you and no people anywhere in sight, especially when you are waiting on a bus and you have not even seen a car go by…in any direction. You just keep looking at the sign that says “Bus Sop” and hope that soon you’ll see some headlights heading your way and not a slow mob of marching zombies like in some horror movie. I’m not sure if it was because I had a flight to catch or the setting but I swear the minutes went by really slow.

As a newspaper blew by it looked the start of an old Michael Jackson video and I laughed out loud just as a bus finally came around a corner about 6 blocks away. Unfortunately it didn’t look anything like the Knight Bus. Oh well, back to reality. A fitting reminder I guess because I’m leaving New Zealand in about an hour. My big tip is winding down.

Auckland was exactly like everyone described it to me; unimpressive. It is just a big sprawling city with a couple neat points but no overwhelming “WOW” factor. Of course I still had a good time. Also, I only had about 20 hours to experience it. Hardly enough time to judge any place let alone a large city.

I lost two of my traveling buddies, Brian and Stephan, after Rotorua and that just left Amy and I on the same route. We arrived in Auckland together and walked around the city for awhile. We took in the view from the Sky Tower, a structure similar to the ones in Seattle and Toronto. I fought all temptation to do the Sky Jump from the top of the Sky Tower and instead settled for a Ferris Bueller type lean against the glass. After much encouragement Amy joined me as we leaned our foreheads against the glass and looked down. I think that basically summed up the entire day and night; Amy and I challenging each other to try new things.

I have been traveling with Amy for 5 days and each time she speaks her thick, slightly blue collar, English accent entertains me, especially when she is venting about not being able to find a “proper cup of tea.” Always the optimist, I have been telling her, “I’m sure in a city the size of Auckland you’ll find one.”

When she asked, “Will you join me?” I knew I couldn’t say “No, I don’t like tea.” without getting a heavy dose of my own Try New Things mantra back at me. So yesterday I had afternoon tea with a girl from England in the Victoria Park Market. It was fun and even with her tips of trying a little milk and sugar in my tea I can still say without a doubt, I don’t like tea.

Other highlights of Auckland were our walk through One Tree Hill Park (yes the song was in my head the entire time) and taking Amy for her first sushi experience. I may not like tea but I hid my distaste better than Amy did when she tried sushi for the first time. It was like feeding a 5 year old.

Oh and I had another great hostel experience too. It was a big bunk room this time. I think there were 12 of us in there. Lots of snoring! Good thing I was only sleeping about 4 hours in there.

It’s time now to leave New Zealand. I’ll keep my reflective thoughts on the experience until an entry on a Sunday morning at the Starbucks in WPB. I’ll be drinking a mocha, not tea!

MJF

Rotorua, New Zealand 3/8/05

Rotorua, NZ 3/8/05

I’ve been in a big writing mood for about 24 hours but, like usual, this is the first time I have sat down. It started yesterday on the bus ride form Taupo to here. It was a sunny day and I had a big clear window on the bus to watch the rolling landscape of New Zealand cruise by. The Kiwi Experience was more subdued than my previous trip on it. It was Monday morning after all. (Not that days of the week really matter here though.) I guess it was the late night at Holly Cow the previous evening that had most of the bus conked out. Not me though. I felt reflective. Not tired and not energized; very content to just watch the fields of vegetables pass by outside the window. I put my head phones on and listened to a new album I had picked up just before I left the States and quickly threw it on my mp3 player the night before leaving the country.

The band is called Bright Eyes and it’s basically the artistic outlet of Connor Oberst. The name of the album is “I’m wide awake. It’s morning”; a fitting title for my mood that day. So there I sat; a quiet bus, beautiful scenery, and good tunes. I loved it.

It’s a short drive form Taupo to Rotorua, less than a couple hours. The driver stopped a couple times to point out some scenery; mountain ranges, etc. but then it was back to soaking up the amazing lyrics of Mr. Oberst. He is an amazing writer. So many great lines I can’t memorize one before another one sparks more thoughts in brain. It was a good grounding morning to start another action packed day.

I officially now have traveling buddies; Amy, Brian, and Stephan. They are all friends from other stops along the way and all traveling alone so we banded together and got a quad when we checked into the Hot Rocks Backpacker in Rotorua.

Rotorua, and the surrounding area, is a place of great geothermal activity. I had been hearing since I got in country how bad it smelled here. There is so much Sulphur in the air it hits the human nose like rotten eggs. I actually adjusted quickly and within an hour didn’t even notice the smell. After all it isn’t as bad a Decatur Illinois! (Decatur is near where I grew up and is home to a huge soybean processing plant)

After checking into our hostel the 4 of us grabbed some lunch and then set off to find bubbling mud! In true Backpacker style we were on a tight schedule. Brian, Stephen, and I were going river sledging at 2:00 and Amy was going rafting at 2:30. We had one hour to see some geysers and hot mud. As cool as geothermal activity is, and was, I think an hour was enough time.

We hiked down the road to Te Puia, a Mauri cultural center and home to the closest geothermal activity. We laughed most to the way there too because we all swore it seemed a lot closer when we drove by it on the way into town. When we finally got to the entry booth everyone was feeling very rushed so seeing the $20 entry price for only a quick run through seemed steep. Amy & Brian tried to negotiate a better price but the ticket lady was not in any mood to deal with us and gave us the attitude to prove it. Of course this just made Amy even madder. We couldn’t pass up the chance to see the geysers though so we paid the money.

I laughed the entire way through the park listening to Amy in her sweet English accent swear like a sailor about the bitch working the ticket booth and where she could stick her map! Ahh, classic!
I had gone rafting while in Queenstown but that trip left me unsatisfied. I wanted a white water adrenaline rush and the low water level on the Shotover River didn’t provide it. So when the Kiwi Experience activity clipboard got to me on the bus that morning, and river sledging was an option, I checked the box without thinking twice. The idea of skipping the raft and just getting right in the water on a little board sounded perfect. It turned out to be a lot of fun but I still need more white water; more speed. I’m beginning to realize my level for excitement is higher than the average Backpacker. I don’t say that in a boastful way. I’m just very comfortable in the water and with heights, even speed to a certain extent. So a 3 foot water fall is fun but not thrilling. All in all it was still not a bad way to spend an afternoon.

Without a doubt the biggest highlight of Rotorua was the Tamaki Mauri Village last night; a true tourist experience with busses and lines but the Mauri that ran it still managed to maintain what felt like an authentic Mauri feeling and general sincerity in what they were doing and saying. I truly felt like a guest and not just a Dollar sign.

The entire experience is set up like you are a Mauri tribe visiting another village. Before I left the States a friend of mine, Burke Smith from Pi K A, had told me about a similar experience that he had while traveling here. So as Burke recommended, when our bus driver asked for a volunteer to be chief of our bus/tribe I volunteered quickly. As my Dad says, “RHIP; Rank Has It’s Privileges!”

For the rest of the night I had a front row seat, with the 5 other bus chiefs, for all the dances, songs, etc. I even got to eat first. It was amazing!

I will also admit to taking the experience very seriously. The initial greeting at the village, where the host chief puts on a show of strength and agility in an attempt to size up the worthiness of the visiting tribe, was intense; 300 people standing around you while a big man yells, chants, and waves a spear at you. The thought of showing any disrespect or laughing never crossed my mind. It was truly amazing!

Doh! A quick look at the watch tells me I’m about to miss my bus. It’s on to the next town. Tonight I’ll say Kia Ora Auckland. Right now I have to say Enohora Rotorua.

MJF

Taupo, New Zealand 3/6/05

Taupo, New Zealand 3/6/05

I have been traveling alone for about 2 days now. Well alone in the sense that I didn’t know any of the people with me prior to a day or so ago.

Before Taupo, Dave and I spent a relaxing 2 nights in Wellington, the days that if it wasn’t for my injury last month I would be doing my marathon over in New Plymouth. After Wellington, Dave went back to Sydney to visit with friends. We will meet back up in just a few days from now in Cairnes or Port Douglas, Australia for some diving on The Reef. Right now though that seems like a long time from now, and with as much activity as I have been packing into each day, 3 days is a long time.

Wellington was a cool city. It is the Capital of New Zealand and I found it very eclectic. I really liked it. The Cuban Street area was an odd mix of hoods, hippies, shoppers, tourists, and business people. The water front was unique and architecturally interesting; lots of odd shapes, stairs, and art.

I have found that the Mauri culture (the indigenous people of New Zealand) is tightly woven into modern New Zealand life. It was evident in Queenstown but even more so in the areas of the North Island that I have seen thus far. In Wellington it is a defining characteristic in their water front structures.

Even the name of the National Museum in Wellington, called Te Papa Tongarewa, or Te Papa for short, comes from the Mauri language and means “the repository for things precious”. Dave and I checked it out one afternoon but other than the Mauri exhibits it was basically just like any other field or natural history museum. Don’t get me wrong it is very nice. We just didn’t find the non-Mauri exhibits real interesting. I guess I hit too many museums with my grandparents when I was a kid.

I took a good walk around Wellington one day by myself. I found the Capital buildings and basically just had a big tourist day taking pictures of everything. It was a fun afternoon of wandering.

Before leaving Queenstown, Scotty had mentioned a company to me called the Kiwi Experience and he said they would be a great way to travel the North Island. He described it as something a lot of backpackers use and basically said its just a bunch of buses that take you from city to city and help you plan what you want to do and where you want to stay when you get there.

It sounded good to me; cheaper and more fun than renting a car. Plus I wouldn’t have to tackle the whole driving on the left side of the road thing. So I grabbed a brochure before we left Queenstown, made a few phone calls when I got to Wellington, and then yesterday morning I jumped on “The Big Green Fuck Truck” as I have since learned it is called by the Backpackers that use it.

According to the demographics chart in the Kiwi Experience brochure my age puts me into the 8% area of people that ride the bus. Well actually 30+ makes up 8% of the riders. Once again more proof that I’m a poser Backpacker but oh well. By the way, this little stat amused the Hell out of Dave and Scotty as we were sitting in a pub before leaving Queenstown. I’m glad my youthful attitude could bring a chuckle to them.

The bus was like a mini Spring Break. By 11 a.m. as we were cruising down the road girls were in the front window flashing other buses and construction workers as we passed. While they weren’t flashing anything I wanted to see (they weren’t good) I still respected the attitude and that’s basically what the Kiwi Experience provides; easy travel for people that want to experience a trip not take one.


The hostel I’m staying at here in Taupo is fantastic, The Tiki Lodge. It feels very new and clean. My room has a double bed, one bunk bed, and a private bathroom. I had one roommie last night, a guy named Andreas from Austria, but he left this morning. When I cam in late last night/this morning he was already sacked out in the bottom bunk so I plopped down in the double bed. I feel kind of bad now though because I just met my two new roommies and of the 3 of us I’m the shortest by at least 3 inches. One of the guys, Brian from Chicago, is about 6’5”. Oh well, squatter’s rights; the big bed is mine.

I got into town yesterday at about 2 p.m. One of the great things about the Kiwi Experience bus that I’m on is they also give you easy access to booking your activities in each town. I’m sure they get a percentage for bringing a bus load of Backpackers to any businesses doorstep but that’s fine with me. I’m finding we also get a discount.

As you are approaching the town the bus driver gets on the PA and tells you what there is to do at your destination. He/she does it in a way that I really liked too; not like a tour guide or an activity director from the Love Boat. More like a friend telling you straight up what’s going on. “This restaurant sucks.” “This bar is good at around 9 p.m. and then head to this bar afterwards.” Etc.

As for activities they then pass around a clipboard for you to sign up for things. When it gets back to the front of the bus the driver gets on a cell phone and calls ahead to make your reservations for places to stay, tours to take, rafting trips, etc. I had been on the bus for about 2 hours when the clipboard got to me.

“Let’s see, I have 2 days 2 nights in Taupo. What should I do? The Tongariro Crossing is a must, a hike that takes a whole day. What to do this afternoon? Well it’s been a couple days since I jumped off anything; how about an airplane?!”

It was as easy as checking a box and handing the clipboard to the girl in front of me, only $159 Kiwi too. How could I pass it up?! So add another tandem skydive to my resume. (This one was from 12,000 feet…and I was barefoot.)

It was just as fun as the first time I jumped but I did miss having my jump buddies MJ, Jeff, and Derek with me. Like many things in life, you can never duplicate your first time.

This jump was again on a gorgeous day but instead of seeing the East Coast of Florida like I did on my first skydive in 1998 this time I was looking at a great view of Lake Taupo and the nearby mountains, Mt. Tongariro and Mt. Ngauruhoe. It was a great way to spend my first afternoon in a new town but next time I think I need to do a solo jump. No more training wheels!

When I got back from my jump I went for a stroll around town. Taupo doesn’t have the feel of Queenstown but I still liked it. It was Saturday afternoon and there was an Ironman Triathlon finishing right in the heart of town. Seeing the athletes running their final few kilometers and hearing the announcer and crowd as the athletes crossed the finish line a few blocks away from me really got me anxious.

I have been doing so much I had not thought much about my missing marathon. I’m very disappointed that I was not able to do it. I have loved each of the marathons I have done but I was really looking forward to a different one; small numbers and the unknown scenery of the west coast of New Zealand’s north island.

I had contemplated still going over to that area but after I found the Kiwi Experience and they didn’t have any buses going that way I decided it was probably best not to see what I would be missing. No sympathy needed here. There will be more races in far off lands. Maybe even an Ironman….somewhere….someday.

That afternoon I bought some supplies in preparation for my day long hike the next day along the Tongariro Crossing. For dinner that night I also got some “takeaway” lasagna and a 6 pack of Monteiths Original (Oh ya, I’m finding all sorts of new beers I like too. So far I think “Originals” as I order it in the pubs, is my favorite.) and headed back to the hostel.

The Tiki Lodge has a huge kitchen on the second floor with large sliding doors out onto a balcony/deck equipped with 2 bbq’s and 2 large bench style tables. The whole place has a very homey feel. Actually it looked like the set for some reality show where they lock a bunch of people in a house or something. Well this was the real world, despite what those shows claim to be, and I’m happy to say there was no one bitching, over dramatizing, or generally just trying to get attention. I guess that’s what really happens when you put 30+ Backpackers from around the World under one roof without the meddling of some producers looking for ratings. It’s just pure fun and harmony!

I plopped down on the balcony to eat my dinner and sip my beers, oh and of course make some friends. Earlier that day, on the Kiwi Experience bus, I had met Amy from England, Birmingham to be exact. I also had met Monica from Sweden while skydiving.

I talked with them more as I enjoyed my dinner and I also met a couple from Quebec and more girls from England. Most of us were planning on doing the Tongariro trek in the morning and the shuttle that took you to the trail head was leaving at 5:30 a.m. A late night at the pubs would have to wait until the next night. Well that was the plan at least. (This is my attempt at foreshadowing.)

I was cleaning up my dinner and making labels for my leftovers that would go into the fridge when I noticed a sign hanging on the wall. “Tongariro Crossing for Sunday, March 6 cancelled due to gail force winds and dangerous weather in the pass.”

I must have read the little 8.5 x 11 sign five times before I turned to someone and asked “What day is it?”
“Saturday.”
“What is the date?”
“March 5.”
My brain kept processing. “Let’s see that would make tomorrow Sunday, March 6. Doh! That’s when I’m supposed to go! Damn!”

I was immediately disappointed. I’m on a tight schedule and there was no time to wait out the weather and I was really looking forward to a day of hiking. The pictures I had seen of the mountain crossing looked fantastic too! Being the optimist that I am though I quickly bounced back and realized, “Hey, I get to sleep in for the first time in days! No reason not to hit the pubs now!”

I found Amy writing in her journal in the lounge area and after listening to her hemming and hawing I convinced her she had to hit the pubs too. After all it was Saturday night in a new town!

This logic also worked on Monica and Andreas, my roommate, and soon I was heading to Mulligan’s with a Brit, a Swede, and an Austrian who didn’t know each other. It felt like my first week in college, back in the dorms, only with a lot more experience under my belt…and I guess it showed because as we were walking to Mulligan’s we were all chatting away when Monica out of nowhere said, “Mat, how old are you?”

I was taken back. Wasn’t I blending? Did I look that much older than them? Did I act older? I was immediately uncomfortable despite the fact that I had no “romantic interest” in either of the girls that were there and I wasn't trying to impress anyone or hide anything.

Of course, I tried not to look like the questions bothered me. I just let it roll off, smiled, and quickly followed up with, “Why do you ask? How old do you think I am?”

Amy chimed in, “I’m guessing 27.”
In my mind I was thinking, “Uh, if you think 27 is older, 31 will only freak you out!”
“Nope, I’m 28.” I said. I’m self conscience about my age but I’m not greedy.
My 21 to 23 year old “peers” and I arrived at Mulligan’s and age was never discussed again.

I may have been the oldest one of our group but they all sat in a booth like they were 40+. After a couple rounds of that I was ready to roam the pub and make more friends. I chatted it up with several people from around the world and eventually lost track of my original group so I moved on to the next bar. My next stop was the late night dance bar called Holly Cow. It instantly reminded me of a bar back in West Palm called Bradleys. Well the atmosphere did at least complete with dancing on the tables, so I was feeling right at home.

Holly Cow was a nice mix of locals and Backpackers and I actually made bar friends with a group of guys about my age. They were locals once, a bunch of college buddies that now lived in Wellington and Auckland. The meet up in Taupo once in awhile for a guys weekend. Of course the group dynamic was pretty familiar. A few shots later I was one of the gang.

So that was last night and tonight seems to be going in the same direction. It’s been another great New Zealand adventure day. The bad weather at the Tongariro Crossing didn’t hit down here in the valley. After a light rain shower this morning it has turned into a beautiful day. I checked my e-mail at the local café and then rented a mountain bike. After getting a recommendation on a 3 hour route form the lady at the Rainbow Hostel where I rented the bike, I took off on the suggested course.

The first 40 minutes was on the open road with rolling hills which proved a rigorous work out going up hill and then ridiculously fast down hill. On my last downhill, flying around curves, while the tires on the pavement hummed at a higher and higher pitch, I felt like Lance Armstong, only I’ve never seen him laughing out loud like I was.

I took a quick break at the dam that was a focal point of my route and then I set off on the off road half of my trek. Now this was real mountain biking! Narrow trails, sharp downhill curves, boulders, skids, cliffs, I was having a blast and even got a little nervous at some points. Of course I was going as fast as possible, breathing heavy and sweating even though I was in no rush and truly only wanted the experience to last as long as possible but there I was, still trying to push it faster and faster. I fishtailed around a corner, downhill, only to realize the trail quickly turned back the other way. The fun feeling quickly left and the “Oh shit!” feeling took its place.

I managed to whip the backend of my bike around the other way, get both feet back on the pedals, and come to a stop at the edge of the ridge. Wide eyed and looking back at the curving trail I had just traversed I let out an audible “Whoa!” The dust was still settling and I looked around. Half still in shock at what I had just pulled off and the other half looking to see if anyone was watching! I either looked like a pro or a nut! The move I’m sure looked impressive but I’m sure my face told the real story during the whole thing. I pedaled away after a mental scolding. It was a long way down over the side of the trail and I had not seen anyone in hours. Not a good place to get hurt! “Don’t get to comfortable.” I reminded myself.

Either fortunately or unfortunately soon that lesson learned would not matter. I blew my back tire out about 30 minutes later just coming off of a 6 inch step. Karma I suppose. I was probably still 2-3 kilometers from town and we are not talking in a straight, flat line either. Disappointed and tired I pushed the bike home. Rental bikes! I swear I break them every time!

Well that was a few hours, a shower, and one load of laundry ago. It’s time now to get my leftovers from the fridge and eat a little dinner. I hope nobody drank my Originals. My new roomies look to be up for a night out so that should be fun. They seem like competent wingmen.

I leave for Rotorua in the morning. The Kiwi Experience pick up is at 9 a.m. I better pack up tonight and double check the travel alarm before I go out tonight.

Right now is one of those feelings that I love. Relaxed and refreshed but the body has been running all day. It’s hard to describe. I feel clean but I have not shaved in days and my hair is a mop on top of my head. Bliss is a word that comes to mind. I wonder if I’ll ever not like traveling like this.

MJF