Day 57: Otorohanga to Taumarunui

Wednesday, January 25

I woke up and got ready for a short hike with Gail. But before we left I had to say goodbye to Carol and Junior. They were going into town so they probably wouldn't be home when we got back. It's been so nice spending the last couple days with them and I can't believe how kind and welcoming they (and all their neighbors) have been.

After saying goodbye, Gail drove to Kakepuku Mountan. It was a really nice 3.2 kilometer hike and we walked and jogged it. I'm definitely more in shape that I was when I started the Te Araroa! Running uphill was so difficult for me before coming to New Zealand.

At the top there were signs about the Maori history there. It was amazing. And it was such a neat hike to do because I had been seeing the mountain from the Hapi's home every day (except for the first really rainy and cloudy day when it was hiding).

As we were walking back on the trail it began to drizzle, but it wasn't too bad. We jogged down and quickly made it back to the car.

When we got back to Gail's, we ate some food and I packed up. She gave me some absolutely delicious homemade muesli bars. They would make a much better breakfast on the river trip than my oatmeal.

We got in the car and drove to Otorohanga so I could catch the intercity bus to Taumarunui. After walking around town a bit and reading some informational signs, the bus arrived and I said goodbye to Gail. It's been such a wonderful week with her and her family! I know I wrote this already, but it's just amazing how kind, giving and welcoming they've been.

In the early afternoon I arrived in Taumarunui and started walking to the holiday park. Two guys offered me a ride after about a kilometer which was really kind. As I was walking into the Holiday Park I saw Phil, the owner, driving Julia, Puff Puff, Erinn and Trevor to town. They were all going to see Moana.

I put up my tent next to where I though I saw Marjolein's tent. When Phil got back I paid for a campsite and got the box I had left at the holiday park the first time I came through. As I was beginning to open it I saw Marjolein walking up with another hiker I had never met. I figured it was Sara and it was. It was so nice to meet her because I had kept hearing about her on the trail.

After refilling my toiletries and grabbing food and snacks I wanted for the river trip, I began walking back into town with the box so I could mail it to myself at Whanganui. I walked for a bit and got a ride from a guy who had picked up Marjolein and Sara. He dropped us off by the movie theater since they were going to Moana and I walked to the post office to mail my box. The Poste Restante here is so wonderful for travelers.

Once I had that taken care of, I stopped at McDonalds for a milkshake (as well as their wifi) and at the supermarket to get a few items I needed for the river trip.

I walked back to the holiday park and after a few kilometers I got a ride from someone who had seen me walking on his way into town. Before I knew it everyone was back from Moana.

Around 7 pm the man from Blazing Paddles came to tell us how everything would work tomorrow and to drop off barrels and dry bags for us to pack our gear into. After about an hour our big group of 18 (we had a group of 14 and 4 other TA hikers were leaving the same day as us) was ready for tomorrow. Someone would be back at 9 am with canoes and life jackets to pick us up and take us to the river.

It was so good to see everyone and we had a nice evening catching up and singing songs from Moana. I saw the movie in Auckland and really like the music too, so I was happy to sing along. I have a feeling it will be our Whanganui River trip soundtrack. Soon it was time for bed. I had to pack my barrels in the morning before we left at 9.