February 3rd, 2009
I cant remember the last area from which I blogged, oh yeah, it was before entering the Mt Cook region. I wish I could post the photos because the glacial blue water of the rivers, lake, canals is just unbelievable. I think it is really one of the most incredible colors produced by nature- and offset against the peaks, glaciers and ochre brown hills- well, its hard to believe such contrast can exist.
The region became quite flat afterwards, and although the elevation looks like a downhill slope, it never feels like it when on a bike. I like how all the towns have tried to creat their own specialty- Twizel "town of trees" Omarama "city of light" Methven "town of hot air ballooning" Koch "birthplace of NZ social security."
I guess some of these are pushing the limits of attraction, but Oamaru's penguin colonies are pretty original! I went to see them come out of the ocean last dusk. They come in on rafts on the waves, floating up on the rocks in the breakers, fluffing and waddling up to their nexts on the beach. The more amazing thing was all the well-behaved tourists who were banned from taking photos, and which they obliged silently, cooing in and murmuring at the wildlife display. If you look at this coastline picture above, there are 3 penguins on the shore....haha
Once again, NZ has managed to preserve and protect something original in a non-Disney-esque way.
Despite the lovely scenery and cycling accomplished thus far, I must admit I am weary of the road. Although I would love to take a day of rest, I will bike a bit farther to a wwoofing stop where I can exert myself in a new way and hopefully also join in a conversation of longer than 2 minutes!
Oh yeah, and those are my legs- part of my everyday thinking and scenery. Totally sunburned orange with the worst biking shorts tan ever. I never thought I could be this color, sort of like a spray tan gone horribly wrong...
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