Sunday 6/27/2010
Began early as I biked up a vicious hill heading towards the botanical gardens. It quickly became apparent that it begins to drizzle/rain around 9 am so it is best to get out prior to this. Hills are not my speciality but I continued up wishing that I had a power assist bike.
Thankfully the side street taking me to the botanical gardens appeared. More precisely I overshot it due to no signing and had to retrace my steps. The interesting thing about New Zealand street signing is that it is sporadic and inconsistent. Some times the street sign will be parallel to the road and other times it will be perpendicular so you really have no idea which street you are on until it is too late.
The botanical gardens were a lovely site (Pictures to come at later date). I meandered down the path with Stella and saw the native and adopted gardens. Soon we had another to our party as a giant orange cat. The gardens were a perfect place to begin to realize the diversity of bird life in New Zealand. They are everywhere and most are creatures out of a book (brightly colored beaks or feathers hopping and flying through the grass/sky). New Zealand has few native mammals but I can't even guess at the amount of bird species.
Only about a 3 mile day along with a nice walk and an introduction to the museum Te Papa.
Monday 6/28/2010
Another early start spurred on by opening my eyes to sun peaking out from behind the clouds. I rushed to get dressed and fed prior to starting off to the wildlife reserve. Shortly I realized that I would not be going to the reserve as it was Monday rush hour and the cars were impatient.
Turning towards the harbor I made my way through traffic until a particularly gnarly intersection. I tried to continue on the sidewalk but luckily for me all of the driveways have a two inch lip that allowed me the pleasure of falling. The biggest bruise being my ego I walked my bike to the harbor bike path.
The highest point in Wellington is Mt Victoria. I began my ascent by walking up a scenic path up the hill. Stopping often to enjoy the beautiful flowers and birds. Walking Stella can almost be more work than riding her. Finally, 45 minutes later, I reached the road that would complete my ascent. Another 2 miles of riding and I was richly rewarded with a beautiful view and burning lungs.
Done enjoying the view it took me 7 minutes to descend the hill. I continued back along the bay after one short misadventure on a highway (thanks again signing). One of my favorite things was the watch for penguin sign!
Had lunch out at a Malaysian restaurant with a friend from the hostel and than we wandered through the City until supper time.
Tuesday 6/29/2010
Raining today. A perfect date to spend at the library planning my route for the North Island (which I have decided to do first). Hoping to go get a decent beer at a pub. I've only had two types so far and neither were good...I'm hoping this is a fluke.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Friday, June 25, 2010
And I'm off
The beginning of my journey was quite uneventful except relearning two lessons:
1.) Check your work: I learned as I was trying to board my plane to New Zealand that the genius that I am wrote the wrong birth date on my visa application. So I got to wait as they verified my visa and once again once I entered the country. Sitting on the chairs right after customs is quite a funny experience as all that walk by wonder what devious thing you have done.
2.) Physics exists, even on airplanes: Bringing on my own mostly empty water bottle I opened it to a mist of water spurting everywhere...which in turn went all over my neighbors who first thought it was spit. Quite awesome.
Spent over 24 hours traveling to New Zealand and arrived in a daze. Took a shuttle bus (which are taxis that take larger items) to the bike shop where it was to be reassembled, said goodbye to Stella (my bike) for the four time. I continued into Wellington on bus all the way to the Train Station where I did research in my guidebook, thank you Rox and Jess, for a hostel.
Got a room and had a few hours prior to check in and began exploring. Off course I forgot to bring my camera so no photos yet. Saw the floating ball in the city center and also witnessed two guys jump into the bay (it's only 45F here).
Saturday I retrieved Stella and have never felt so happy. Rode along the bay back to downtown with a light heart. Yesterday, mostly due to jet lag, I began to wonder what I would do for a whole year. Riding back, seeing the clear green water smash against the shore, was exhilarating and nerve racking. Left side riding takes a little to get used to. At least I have not had to make a right turn yet.
1.) Check your work: I learned as I was trying to board my plane to New Zealand that the genius that I am wrote the wrong birth date on my visa application. So I got to wait as they verified my visa and once again once I entered the country. Sitting on the chairs right after customs is quite a funny experience as all that walk by wonder what devious thing you have done.
2.) Physics exists, even on airplanes: Bringing on my own mostly empty water bottle I opened it to a mist of water spurting everywhere...which in turn went all over my neighbors who first thought it was spit. Quite awesome.
Spent over 24 hours traveling to New Zealand and arrived in a daze. Took a shuttle bus (which are taxis that take larger items) to the bike shop where it was to be reassembled, said goodbye to Stella (my bike) for the four time. I continued into Wellington on bus all the way to the Train Station where I did research in my guidebook, thank you Rox and Jess, for a hostel.
Got a room and had a few hours prior to check in and began exploring. Off course I forgot to bring my camera so no photos yet. Saw the floating ball in the city center and also witnessed two guys jump into the bay (it's only 45F here).
Saturday I retrieved Stella and have never felt so happy. Rode along the bay back to downtown with a light heart. Yesterday, mostly due to jet lag, I began to wonder what I would do for a whole year. Riding back, seeing the clear green water smash against the shore, was exhilarating and nerve racking. Left side riding takes a little to get used to. At least I have not had to make a right turn yet.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
The start line prior to the gun
This blog is aimed at helping me remember my first bicycle tour which will have me gallivanting around New Zealand for a year. It will also facilitate communication with friends and family who may be interested in how things are going.
I will begin my adventure in Wellington where I plan to get used to biking on the left and enjoying the dreary winter. Thankfully this year Minnesota began summer a month in advance!
I will begin my adventure in Wellington where I plan to get used to biking on the left and enjoying the dreary winter. Thankfully this year Minnesota began summer a month in advance!
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