From Albert Town I backtrack 2km to Wanaka to stock up on food and, more importantly, gas for my cooker. In front of the supermarket I meet a fellow cyclist, Walter from Canada. We talk a bit, then part ways. I still need to find gas and decent bread.
The road along Lake Hawea is very hilly and once again strong headwinds plague me. At a lookout I meet Walter again, as well as some other cyclists. Continuing on to Haast Pass the wind stays strong with some light rain showers.
From the pass I roll down to Pleasant Flat campground, which isn’t that pleasant at all, due to millions of sandflies*. Half an hour later Walter rolls in and we talk a while before the rain commences, forcing us into our tents.
All in all a good day with 100 km and 1100 Hm.
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*Sandflies are named very misleadingly. They do no occur in sandy areas but in wet, swampy areas. Their proper name is bloody bloodsucking flies and they look like large fruitflies. Their bite doesn’t hurt but the bite areas itch just like mosquito bites. Unlike mosquitos, sandflies are active all day.