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offers a drink , meal , and shelter for those travelling the mountains and has become an eclectic collection of memorabilia of the region .
Gandolf , the wizened wizard of Middle Earth , pointed us in the direction we needed to venture and so began a ride of exquisite conditions . Varying corners provided a chance to explore the road capabilities of the Yamaha Ténéré 700 . Dense forest an almost tunnel through the landscape , perhaps Gollum and the old wizard were on to something , this did feel like another world .
Rising from the gloom of the deep valley of the Otira gorge sunlight fought to reach the ground seemingly held back by thick cloud that threatened rain and green foliage . We were passing through rainforest that contains podocarp , a hardwood Cyprus , and the rata , a type of twisted myrtle that is native to New Zealand . The landscape was otherworldly in its form and diversity .
Then it appeared , something that felt ancient yet was only twentyfive years of age , something that preceded an even grander sight .
A tunnel of sorts , wedged into the side of the mountain , a shelter to
protect against the force of nature especially when a mountain decides it can no longer hold on . I ’ d seen these before in Central Asia but never witnessed one that had actually worked , the roof of the structure was covered in debris from a landslide coming from up above . It was indeed impressive that this feat of engineering had worked as designed .
A literal stones throw further up the road was another creation that required some applause . A diversion , a sluice of sorts , which took the power of a waterfall from the roadway and allowed it to continue down into the river
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