It was the new year eve and here I was riding. The only thing on my mind was the brash young crowd that was sure to create a ruckus tonight. I was going to stay in a YHA and I am always afraid of them. Many times they harbour sleepless youngsters with loud mouths and radios. Ideally I would like to rest in amidst nature after a ride, didnt have any tent (or the space for it) to carry around.
I am penning down this blog in Franz Josef. Its almost mid night and its raining cats dogs and their other creatures of the exotic variety from as far as Madagascar. Looks like there was a lot of blue so far in god’s pallete and he decided to wipe the canvas clean.
And its cold.
However, getting back to the day in question. I headed off from Auckland towards Thames, which will be the start of my Coromandel circuit. I had done this circuit twice in the last trip. Once on the Concours 14 (when it was dull and grey) and the next on a Ninja ZX6r (when it was sunny and blue). This time I did not enjoy around the Coromandel as I expected to. Maybe the day was a little dull, thats why.
I took lunch at Coromandel in a chinese take away. I have found most chinese food rather bland, a contrast to what we have in India – spicy.
One of my favourite spots at the Coromandel is a highly convoluted tree. I dont recall its exact location ( i need to start keeping a small notebook with a pen handy now).
I took a photo of the tree in the my last trip in Jan 2008:
And the same tree this time:
Taken with the same lens (10-22mm).
I wanted to go and see the world famous Catherdral Cove, but the walk and time dissuaded me. Plus keeping the bike in a parking lot attended for an hour or so wasnt inviting.
My lodge for today, YHA Oputere was on the Oputere road, a few kays off the main highway. I was pleasantly surprised to see it in a very tranquil and scenic location. Checking in further educated me about the families which were staying which meant less noise today. In fact it was one of the most peaceful places I stayed in the trip so far.
I would highly recommend people to stay in the YHA Opoutere instead of Whangamata, which is basically a town and will be noisy.
I did a run to Whangamata (which was 15 odd kays away) in the evening to catch some photos with the golden setting sunlight, and to get something for dinner.
I had a peaceful night’s sleep with a bright full moon outside my window…
The Coromandel
YHA Oputere
Sunset on the road from Oputere to Whangamata
