Got to bed at 2.30am, so when the alarm went at 4am I was not sure what was going on. Took me a while to get out of bed. But I managed it and at 5.20am I was on the road to Tauranga. Napier to Taupo was nice and almost dry, just some low cloud. Taupo to Rotorua was even better and it was nice and warm. Filled up in Rotorua and pointed the K1 towards Tauranga. There was some serious rain and I stopped and put my oilskin on as the leather jacket started leaking in the seams.8.30am I was in Greerton in Tauranga. not bad going! I parked the bike, took off the surplus gear and had a look at the bikes. There was over 40 bikes parked outside the community centre.
Tauranga
I met up with Mahu and Roger from Super Maori Fullas, Vanessa fron Families Commission and Ric from YMCA National. There was also many others that were familiar from last years ride.
I went inside the Community Centre where we were treated to a awsum brekkie by the Womens Refuge. There was also performances galore and speeches, some very personal and heartbreaking about the hurdles in their past.
At 10am we left for Rotorua. Initially with Police escort, but after we had got through all traffic lights and the urban streets we were alone. It is massive to travel staggered in a group of 30 riders who know how to ride. The pace was just right and the flow good.
We arrived in at the Craft Market in Rotorua to the place bathing in sunshine. The kids straight away came to look at all the bikes and ask oif they could sit on them. And (this is hard to believe!) the bike most kids wanted to sit on was Ric's Gold Wing!!! (I blame his stereo that was blasting!). There was no planned activity but we spent time mingling with the locals and spreading the White Ribbon message.
Rotorua
At 12.45 we left for Tokoroa (hitting only one wet moment) where the whole community was waiting for us at the Youth Park. Rics blue Honda was again the main focus for the kids, but I also had my share of young admirers who got the opportunity to sit on the K1. The stage was all go and the local schools performed some seriously good stuff. Much was, to my surprise, Pacific based. At the end the dancers came out and grabbed many of us bikers by the hand to pull us up on the stage to show what we got. It would have been fun to watch these 30 black leather clad "mature" men swing. As I was up there too working on not embarrasing my young dance partner I had no opportunity to get an overview. (Maybe as well...) We were fed more food and drink and left for Taupo at 3.15pm.
Tokoroa
We moved with good speed and arrived at Wairakei Terraces just outside Taupo a little early. That gave us time to just relax and enjoy the fine weather (I will need to buy sunscreen!!). Once the organisers: Maori Women's Refuge were ready for us we were treated to a brilliant Maori welcome. With now approx 40 bikers (more had joined us in Tokoroa) that took some time. We all also got the opportunity to give Tariana Turia leader of the Maori Party a cuddle and kiss. (Yes, I took that opportunity...). There was a fashion show and snacks brought to us on regular basis. Once all that was over we filled our tummies with a delicious Hangi and Maori Bread!
Taupo
it was already getting dark when we departed for the Lake Taupo Christian Camp. A stop for a prayer on a bridge where one the the Patriots had alsmost lost his life last year and we rode in to the camp. There was still 32 of us that needed beds and after some organising everyone had a place to sleep.
A long day: 19 hours and 537Km's of travel for me.
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