Getting Sick on the West Coast

February 20th, 2009 Haast area West Coast (lots of sand flies)

I havent written lately because I have been a little lost, but then Laura Green picked me up yesterday. haha...see my Stewart Island entry if you didnt catch that...

Actually, I went over the pass out of Queenstown in hotter than normal weather; I suppose 4 days off the bike, drinking too much coffee, eating too little, not drinking enough water sort of did me in. A young German kid attached himself to me about half way through, and I found myself heading to the campground with him still in tow since we were going the same clockwise way round the island. He made a nice dinner which he shared with me despite the fact I had become sick. I was shivering, sweating, hot, cold, nauseous all night. A miserable existence in a small tent. At least he was sort of quiet, and kept me company for a few days more- handing me chocolate at appropriate moments and pointing out points on the map. It probably kept my mind off of how terrible I felt.

However, yesterday we did the Haast Pass and it was only 500m but it about did me in. I hadnt eaten in days and barely made it over, almost collapsing at the top. I had to encourage him to carry on without me, and then found myself muttering "I just want to get there" which is the death of any trip.

When who should appear but LAURA! Yeah, she pulled over and I meekly accepted a lift, despite not wanting to cheat, I really had no choice. She was bouyant and it seemed too serendipitous to say no since the day we met on Stewart Island, and then missed each other in Queenstown, only to meet in the tourist center in Wanaka when I couldnt ditch the German boy, and at last again en route to Haast Junction.

Turns out she is on an all expense paid trip around the island, with pre-booked luxury B & Bs which have just enough room to squeeze in a lowly cyclist; so despite puking up my guts, its gourmet food for me in the Lake Moeraki Wilderness Lodge! Here I am with with free internet, free laundry, breakfast and lunch, hob nobbing with the silver haired elite downing gallons of wine in the lake front lodge. Being the only two under 50, we are glad to have found each other- the two Laura's. Its too much fun...

With my touchy stomach, I will be accepting just a bit more of this life until I can keep down my regular meals of muesli from the bottom of the pannier. So until then...