We got going early and had bacon and eggs in Tauranga to prepare for the big climb into Rotorua today. The weather has improved; clouds and sun, so sun screen was the order of the day.
For those of you complaining about only seeing pictures of Laura's backside, here's one of her frontside. And, bonus, she's smiling (we're not to the Gorge yet).
This is Mangorewa Kaharoa Gorge. Laura wouldn't be smiling if she was in this shot. Actually, today's ride wasn't too bad. We had to climb from just above sea level to 500 meters, with multiple additional hills. Our total vertical climbing was 734 meters. Laura figures this climb was tougher than the one to Rotorua on her previous NZ cycle trip.
This shot is our profile today. The gorge is the notch at the top of the climb. We wore off some brake pad on that one. (Sorry, but I can't get the profiles any larger on this computer, due to the way my software works).
These are some swans at the lake in Rotorua. Rotorua Lake is the remains of a volcanic crater filled with water. Lake Taupo (south of here) is even larger. We'll be there in a couple of days. Tomorrow, we are staying here to play tourists.
The Anglican church on the lakefront. Those who were on the previous NZ bike trip will recognize it.
This is our backpacker accomodation. So far, we haven't been disappointed with any of the backpackers we've stayed at. They've all been clean (this one especially) and reasonably comfortable, and about 1/2 price of our motel last night (which wasn't too expensive, either). It's almost like getting dinner free!
Quite a workout. Ben said to tell you that we killed 2 mosqitoe's last night. Just can't take the prairie survival instinct out of us prairie people. Keep having fun and we are still looking for that rear view of Greg. Pat ane Ben
ReplyDeleteNice to see the pictures of Rotorua - brings back memories of the NZ bike trip! I remember attending a service in that Anglican Church on the shore and the really interesting Maori cemetery just outside it. Thanks for keeping the blog up - makes for great reading!
ReplyDeleteDaphne