We had a couple of spare days before starting our latest death march, the Heaphy Track, so we decided to head for paradise, Golden Bay located in the northwestern corner of the South Island. Abel Tasman, a Dutch explorer, was the first person to visit the area in 1642 and due to a miscommunication with the Maoris who were actually cannibals and coming to eat rather than greet his men, he named the place Murder's Bay. More recently it was changed to Golden Bay. The area is still beautiful no matter what it is called, but it is more appealing to visit Golden Bay and the property prices have shot up accordingly. Marketing, marketing marketing... Nelson is the regional city of Golden Bay and it is charming with a laidback small town feel. It boasts lots
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