Yesterday was our first riding day! We started off from Cape Reinga which is an important place for Maoris. According to mythology, the spirits of the dead travel to Cape Reinga on their journey to the afterlife to leap off the headland and climb the roots of the 800 year old tree and descend to the underworld to return to their traditional homeland of Hawaiki, using the Te Ara Wairua, the 'Spirits' pathway'. At Cape Reinga they depart the mainland. They turn briefly at the Three Kings Islands for one last look back towards the land, then continue on their journey.
We got our first taste of hills and wind! Far out! After 111km and 9 hours later we finally arrived in Kaitaia where we were able to get a good 9 hour sleep and a good meal.
Today we will resupply in food and water at the local supermarket before heading for Omapere.
Our bums and legs are sore, but a big smile on our faces shows we are glad to finally be on the road, on the way to Bluff! The journey has started!
We got our first taste of hills and wind! Far out! After 111km and 9 hours later we finally arrived in Kaitaia where we were able to get a good 9 hour sleep and a good meal.
Today we will resupply in food and water at the local supermarket before heading for Omapere.
Our bums and legs are sore, but a big smile on our faces shows we are glad to finally be on the road, on the way to Bluff! The journey has started!
