First Taste of the South Island

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We are coming to the end of our second week in New Zealand and now are beginning our tour of the South Island. Leaving the North Island, we spent a day in Wellington and now know why they call it ‘windy Welly’ – wind gusting to 100 km/hr rocked our van throughout the night. The Te Papa Museum of NZ in Wellington was superb and free! Canada should take a lesson.



The past two days have been the most spectacular so far. We are in Abel Tasman National Park, which is in the Marlborough-Nelson region – or northern section of the South Island. One day we took a water taxi up the coast and tramped up and down for about 10 km through amazing scenery, beaches and lagoons to a pick up point to be taxied back to the campground. While the day of kayaking in the waves and wind of Tasman Bay proved to be challenging, it was also quite exhilarating, particularly when riding the waves with the sea wind at our backs!



Tomorrow we are off to do some birding at the Farewell Spit Bird Sanctuary – the most northerly part of the South Island.

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Photos

Dick as a tramp
Trek in Kiriwhakappa Forest

Kayaking
Taking a respite on one of many beautiful beaches along the Tasman Sea coast

Abel Tasman National Park
One of many spectacular vistas in the Park

Comments

[Brian Low]

Great spots. I spent 2 days saving whales on Golden Bay near Land's End Spit. Enjoy! You are hitting the right spots to begin. Did you have green mussels at Mussel Boys in Havelock?

[Nancy Wood]

amazing!
Hi, It is great to hear from you and see what adventures you are experiencing....it all looks so beautiful. What wildlife have you seen? love always Nancy

[Janice]

Abel Tasman looks positively breathtaking - great pic, fresh air, boating, hiking, beautiful views/nature, sounds perfect!

[Martina & John]

Hi you two: Sounds like you are enjoying the country side. We look forward to your blogs. TTFN