NZ16
Hanmer Springs
I
was prepared this morning, I had the hotel added into my GPS, and so what could
go wrong.
Well,
we are not going to this hotel, Fred said after breakfast. We are going to a
hotel ‘near' there. Bummer!
Ah,
well, I need to adapt.
Today’s
ride is over the famous ‘Lewis Pass’, supposed to be ‘the' route to take. And
indeed it was a lovely area we rode through today. We had 365 km of riding
today; through desolate mountains but beautiful vistas. Watch your gas, eat
when you can, because there is not much you can do once you miss a gas station
and you are out of gas.
 |
| Gas Stop In Murchison |
We
were warned not to speed, the police have a long view on those mountain passes
and radar works great from far away. In general, NZlanders do not speed. Their
traffic behavior is to obey the law. Sure, once in a while, outside of town,
far away from civilization instead of going 100 k/hour you will go something
like 110 k, but in towns, for sure, obey the speed limits and traffic rules.
I
had no problem with that, I was not in NZ to race, I was here to see what
landscape NZ has and I must tell you, it’s stunning; Simply amazing.
 |
| Beechwoods Cafe - Lunch Stop |
In
Murchison you need to get gas, and it’s your last chance for food for while.
This stop is a famous biker stop (Beechwoods Cafe).
We
soon entered Route 65, riding towards Springs Junction, towards the Lewis Pass.
No,
I cannot say it’s like the European Alps, it’s not. Those are different venues.
NZ has its own, totally different charm.
 |
| Recommended Stop, The Bushman's Center But No Pictures Allowed Inside |
Yes,
because of the narrow roads the sweepers and hairpin turns might give you a
similar feeling when you ride a bike in NZ, but it’s not the Alps. Let’s call
this ride an Alpine Ride without comparing the two. Great Riding!
The
Lewis pass is named after a surveyor, Henry Lewis, who discovered this route
after speaking with the Ngai Tahu Maori, who used a walking trail here for centuries.
The Ngai Tahu transported Pounamu
(Green Stone) and traded or sold it to others.
 |
| Green Stone |
Ah,
yes, Green Stone, a NZ specialty. In
China it’s called Jade, but here in NZ, it has its own name because it is not
the same Jade as you will find in China. China’s most famous Jade is milky, but
in NZ it’s best if the stone is dark green.
In
NZ, in the traditions of the Maori, Pounamu is a sacred stone. It’s rare to
find a really dark, pure green stone, and today, it’s a must have memory of NZ.
Yes, Carol now has Green Stone earrings, but not the dark kind; hers is special
in other ways.
So
we arrived in Hanmer (NOT Hamner) but I cannot really say why we rode to this
spot. We slept in the ‘other’ hotel, and then rode back. Why did we ride to Hanmer,
Carol? Fred? Anybody?
 |
| Dreaded Construction Holdup |
Oh,
I know! The name in Maori is: Te
Whakatakaka O Te Ngarehu O Ahi Tamatea
(The
falling of embers of the fire of Tamatea.)
Or…
it’s not the destination, it’s the ride.
Or Hanmer is a known spa town. I
really don’t know.
Strange
place, end of the road and then it all stops.
Yes, there are some hot springs here I was told when we arrived, but we
never rode to see them. But then, we did not ride to Hanmer as a group, we all
dribbled in to the Hotel one or two at a time.
 |
| Waiting Patiently For the Holdup to Clear |
