New Zealand keeps more of the traditional Maori place names. So I feel tend to feel ignorant when people chat and say where are you going to etc.? Without it written down in front of me, I have to say (as today) about 120km south. To where? To some washing powder place maybe?
Omokorua is a holiday village / commuter place for the nearby Tauranga City – it has an exciting designation as an area of special housing growth. I rather prefer the translation of the Maori name – either “ the place of the small white grub” or “the long lizard”. It has a decent shop for snacks so all is good!
Today was of two halves (as is most I suppose!). The morning was undulating – quite a lot – through forested hills with an exciting road closed to go round. I don’t think it’ll be opening any time soon. Lots of honey suckle so the air was perfumed. When the trees stopped it is more traditional farming landscape.
A lot of avocado growing. Maybe that’s what the tall leylandii looking trees are for – wind breaks.
The afternoon was on a hard shoulder of a busy(ish) road. The fun bit is where there are bridges and the hard shoulder disappears – go and hope the cars slow: which they did (well for me anyway, I heard a few mutters when I got in).
Tomorrow to Rotorua and into a rest day, navigating the city first…
Travelling reflections 