Greetingd from Wairoa!

Helo there, everyone!
So, I've done a bit since I last updated. I last left you as I was at my Aunt and Uncle's house in Havelock North. I read several books, including a cycling travelogue, an ancient sci-fi novel from like the 50's (that was interesting), and Catch 22. They were all at least fairly good, but with Catch 22 being the one I most liked. I've seen the movie and heard other people talking about it, but haven't read it until now. I am really glad that I have gotten a chance to actually just read for pleasure, and not for a class. It makes it much more enjoyable. Maybe I'll go back and *ahem* re-read some of those english books...

SO, I set off from Havelock North to Napier, a city just about 25kms away. Napier is full of all of these "Art-Deco" style buildings, which were build after the 1930's earthquake. I didn't spend very long there in the city looking around, but it was a pleasant place. I ended up staying in a backpackers called something like "Stable Lodge," which had rather odd decor, with magazine pictures of unicorns and horses pasted onto the walls. But it was nice and cozy, and DRY, so I didn't mind. I went out to "The Warehouse" (a big, Target-esque store here in New Zealand) and bought myself a small AM/FM radio so that I have something to listen to when I want to. It was only about NZ$10, but does the job just fine, so I don't mind. Made some couscous for dinner, and went to bed--only after watching "Minority Report", "Independence Day", and "Men in Black II" with several German backpackers. I wonder, what would a foreigner think about those movies if they could't understand the language? Espcially Minority Report.

Then next day, sorted out some bank account stuff, and headed off for Lake Tutira. It took me almost all day to get there, even though it was only about 45km to there from Napier. There was one big hill, which was something like 15km of climbing! That sucked. The descet was nice, although marred slightly by rain whipping into my face as I tear (carefully) down the other side. At the bottom is a place called "Devil's Elbow", which is just a hairpin turn. Would've taken a picture, but it was wet. Eventually made it to Lake Tutira, and set up my tent in the rain. I was wet and cold, and made some more couscous as quickly as I could. Then, I got into my sleeping bag, and read my new book: "The LOng, Dark Tea-Time of the Soul", by Douglas Adams. Very funny book--you should read it. Next morning, woke up a little later than planned, and finally packed all of my gear up, only to notice at the end that I had a flat rear tire! OF course my spare tubes etc. were at the bottom of ONE of my paniers, and I didn't know which one exactly, so I spent another night there. Next morning, I got up a little earlier, an headed out (oh, and Dad just so you know, I fixed the puncture on my first go, and it's lasted 78kms so far!). Oh, I have 2 minutes left. I'll finish this later.