White Water Rafting and Abel Tasman National Park

River Valley Adventure Lodge / White Water Rafting:

We stayed in a lodge situated deep in a valley next to the Rangateki River. We had to hike down about 1/2 mile just to get to it - a beautiful setting. The next day, we geared up, wetsuits, life vests, and helmets to conquer some of New Zealand's Class 5 and most dangerous rapids. After many dunks, raft flips, and swims in the icy river water, we were ready for a nice hot tub at the lodge under the stars . . .

Abel Tasman:
Next, we had a night of celebrating with our Kiwi experience friends in Wellington and parted ways with them (temporarily) to do the Abel Tasman National Park. In order to get there, we had to take a bus to the bottom of the park, where we then boarded a water taxi, that took us the whole length of the coast all the way to the north end of the park. At last our destination, not to return until the next afternoon. We hiked the coast all day, with a friend we'd met at the youth hostel in Nelson. It was a grueling, but beautiful hike (aprox. 8 miles). Luckily at one part, it was low tide and we were able to wade across a lagoon (water up to our thighs!), otherwise we'd have an extra 2 hours around or a swim. The hike was gorgeous - rainforests, mountains, and beach crossings, and lunch on a grounded, pre-tide, boat.

In the evening, we staggered into Bark's Bay where we'd rented a hut in the park and camped for the evening. In the morning, we walked out to the beach and met our sea kayak guide, Stephen, who led us, along with some other adventurers the remaining length of the coast. We stopped along the way, had lunch in a cave/alcove (it was drizzling a bit) and kayaked around islands. The scenery was breathtaking! At one island stop, a baby seal pup was playing in the water, he seemed to be showing off for us, swimming back and forth right under our kayaks and then doing jumps out of the water! So Cute!!

What an incredible adventure, breathtaking in every way, all the way!

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