04/02/2015 - Cycle Touring New Zealand - Day 25 - Kerosene Creek - a hot spring, waterfall and bath all in one.

Distance cycled: 39.5km from Rotorua to Kerosene creek, North island, New Zealand.
Average speed: 14.3km/h
Moving Time: 2h45m
Elevation Ascended: 614km
Total Distance on Current trip: 1635km
Distance until I have cycled the circumference of Earth: 6772km

Leaving Rotorua there was a bicycle path running parallel to the main road, it was smooth and mostly well maintained. It led to Volcanic valley where tourists could see a variety of heated lakes, geysers and other volcanic related things but annoyingly and unfortunately these phenomena came at a price and although these sights were natural the entrance into the area were fenced off and only accessible through the office of which you have to pay $36. This was the entrance fee to enable you to walk on the trail. Silly tourist trap, Bull shit right!? Of course Marlieke and I being frugal with our money turned around and left but not before I attempted to see if it's possible to sneak in. You have two possibilities, the gate on the right side of the tourist office is wide enough to squeeze through and there doesn't seem to be any security so I think it would be possible to distract the one woman working at the ticket office/souvenir shop and get past her. This info is for those who agree paying such an excessive amount to see something natural; yes, I paid $100 yesterday to see Hobbiton but this was something man made.
Continuing further south to Taupo we went to check out a "free" hot spring area in Kerosene Creek, a severely relaxing literal hot spot where the thermal properties of the earth heated the swift flowing creek.
It was such a wonderful place where the people we met here were so friendly, friendly to a point were we received several beers and even accommodation in places we will soon be cycling through.
We even ended up camping beside the waterfall listening to the constant splash of  water.

Nice to see  !

Going through some (somewhat) rough terrain.

Oh, yeah!

03/02/2015 - Hobbiton

 

We spent a little over $100 for the tour of Hobbiton to see the movie set of which the hobbit films and Lord of the Rings were shot.
It took an hour from Rotorua to get there and upon arriving we were carted around with a guide to see the hobbit village. totaling 44 hobbit holes, many of which were not shown in the movies were great to see. As it was just a movie set many of the hobbit holes were just a door way to some dirt with no space to live at all, a simple fixture,however the attention to detail was incredible with smoke machines pumping smoke out the tiny brick chimneys and the method used to create moss on the picket fences. It all seemed a little too much for a few seconds of footage for a few films but it was Peter Jacksons vision for it to be near perfect and maintained in almost the same state as it was during the time of filming.
Many people work at the location whether it be maintenance upkeep, serving the specifically brewed beer for the visitors of Hobbiton in the Green dragon inn, a guide or just watering the grass rooftops of the hobbit holes it really was a busy place.
A little too busy for my liking as the groups of 30 to 40 would shuffle along the narrow paths of Hobbiton to see the sights.

One highlight was the included beer received at the end of the tour when taken to the Green Dragon inn, which was, like everything else seen today, themed to the set of Middle Earth.

It was a worthwhile visit but at $100 per person I can't help but think that it's far too expensive for what it is. Especially when hundreds of people flock here every day.

 

02/02/2015 - Cycle Touring New Zealand - Day 24 - Shitty tires.

Distance cycled: 69.7km from Welcome bay, Tauranga to Rotorua, north island, New Zealand.
Average speed: 14.9km/h
Moving Time: 4h38m
Elevation Ascended: 1159m
Total Distance on Current trip: 1588km
Distance until I have cycled the circumference of Earth: 6,819km

Even though it was still drizzling this morning we had to set off to cover more distance; the weather forecast was predicting that it would clear up for the afternoon and we wanted to get to Rotorua as I had organized another warm-shower host to stay with for the evening.
10km out of the Tauranga I experienced yet another flat tire, the last three days of riding my bike I have had three punctures on the same inner tube but all different spots; these tires are shit! Don't buy Bontrager tires.
Anyway, it was a very wet day of cycling with a few gorges we had to descend into and cycle out of but a shout out for Marlieke as she has now cycled 1,000km on this journey in New Zealand. She didn't believe she could do it but now she has!

Making it into Rotorua we found our way to John's place 5km from the city center, John, a real pleasant guy who allowed us to stay in his house for two nights as tomorrow we wanted to go to Hobbiton on the bus which is the set of which the hobbit village was filmed for the two trilogies of movies of Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit.
It was a long day and both Marlieke and I were tired so after cooking and eating dinner.. And drank some wine.. we went to bed.

All smiles from Marlieke