DAY 3: ON THE ROAD, PIOPIO TO NEW PLYMOUTH

people keep telling me how beautiful it is the farther south i go.. well im only halfway down the north island and already it is amazing.. i woke up in piopio with the sun and dried the dew/rain from my tent and set out for a 150km trek through the mountains to the west coast.. so pretty.. although the sharp ankle pains kept reminding me that there are no stores to buy ibuprofen, i had a smile ear to ear the whole day even through the crazy climbs, heavy rain, and shoulderless roads.. was told that i had to try whitebait so i splurged for lunch and made it to new plymouth for dinner.. the couple im staying with here (reese and diane) are awesome people who have an organic farm with ducks, horses, goats, and lots of veggies.. my new friend hector is a wwoofer from guadalajara mexico (wwoof is a worldwide organic farm movement where farmers offer accomadations and food to host workers from around the world, i plan on using it in southeast asia), and there are about 15 other guests staying on the property in town for womad (a worldwide music, art, and dance festival lasting all weekend about 100 feet from here).. on the property is ample wildlife, 2 amazing old hardwood floor houses with as much quarky character as any home id ever been in.. great energy, food and people.. im having a blast and have been invited to stay through the weekend! to see the best photos in full size click here