New Zealand – Abel Tasman

Whoop Whoop I got the radio working on the Snail! I never realised how much such a small thing could please me.
I set off this morning having booked a water taxi and kayaking in and around the Abel Tasman National Park.

I took a water taxi to Torrent Bay via Broken Rock and an Island of New Zealand Fur Seals.

I then walked for two hours along the coast track. Its a very well made track and apparently very busy but for the most part I was alone. It climbed away from the beach and became quiet. Its rain forest although its not describe as such. There are many types of fern including Dicksonia and a tailing variety plus Black Beech and many others I have no clue about. Tui’s and Bell birds call out. Some of them sound like squeaky wheelbarrows. Lots of small water falls keeping the rock face moist for all this vegetation.

The views were stunning, glimpses of white sand and turquoise seas.

The pictures were taken by a Swiss couple I met on the last part of the walk. My walk ended at Bark Bay where I was meeting Tobias with a Kayak. I sat and ate my lunch and waited for the Kayaks.

The kayaking was wonderful. I paired with Tobias, a blond and beautiful Kiwi boy. There were another couple of Kayaks heading back with us passed Torrent Bay to Anchorage. I was expecting it to be choppy but it was OK. We paddled to about 20 metres from an island where more fur seals were basking with their pups. Pied Cormorant sat on the rocks keeping vigil.

As we headed down the coast we started playing games with the other Kayaks, if we weren’t wet already we were at the end. I was blamed for starting it Ha!

Strangely I didn’t ache as much as I had on the river in Tasmania and yes I was paddling in case you think I let Tobias do all the work! We paddled up to a pontoon with a dive board in the bay at Anchorage and spent half an hour swimming and diving off. It was just blissful, warm and peaceful.

After taking the Kayaks up the beach we unloaded and took a water taxi back. The man next to me offered me a sweet. Now you know what they say about taking sweets from strangers. Well apparently it’s the Kiwi thing to eat “pineapple lumps”. Real pineapple? No but there was real chocolate!

After all the adventures today, I’m pleasantly tired. I’m off to find hot springs tomorrow. I’ve no idea where I’m staying yet, I’ll work it out as I go…