Wednesday February 5, 2014

There comes a time as a touring cyclists when you really cannot face another day of hills, traffic and cycling.  Today was that day and we both felt the same way.  We decided to take the bus to Waitomo and have a good rest day and touristy day tomorrow black water rafting.

The bus left at 2:30 and we were on it with the bikes and gear.  It would have been a hilly 85 kms to Waitomo, I at least was pleased to take the bus, Ralf took this time to edit some of his photos.

However, disaster struck when we arrived at the Big Apple – Hangatiki (the bus stop) at Waitomo.  The bus driver hadn’t seemed too keen on taking the bikes and quickly got everything out of the luggage compartment and away he went.  The disaster, one of my panniers was still on the bus.  Panic….. All my clothes.  I quickly made phone calls, there was another bus coming south that might be able to connect with our bus and get my pannier on the bus.  No – too slow on the communication front.  Perhaps the next bus going to Auckland could communicate with our driver.  No – too slow on the communication front.  Contacted the office in Auckland again, we might be able to get it on the bus coming to Waitomo tomorrow.  Could I call in the morning around 7:00.  We don’t have a cell phone with us. What a nightmare.

We cycled to the campsite at Waitomo set up tent and met a nice German touring cyclist (Michael) who we chatted to and explained our predicament.  He is also cycling around the world but taking little chunks out of it.  Canada – Newfoundland to Montreal; Chile; now New Zealand. (1xumdiewelt.jimdo.com) his blog address means 1 times around the world.  He has written it in German with the help of google translator for the English.