Golden Bay

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After a nice couple of days in Wellington we boarded the ferry to Picton on a sunny Saturday afternoon. I was deeply sunk in the adventures of Tolkien's The Hobbit when we decided to go on deck and suck in these stunning views of all the sounds and bays entering Picton. It was then when I shot this image which made me think of my adventurous uncle's and his partner's almost-around-the-world sailing trip. Hope the two of you like the picture!: )

Isabel and I spent a couple of days in Picton hiring a kayak and playing minigolf. The water in the bay was certainly refreshing but since we rowed for nearly an hour we needed some kind of cooldown. Kayaking is such a nice way to get around, you can go to untouched places you'd never be able to walk or drive to!
We soon decided to move on to Nelson. The very curvy journey on the Queens Charlotte Drive lead us to some stunning lookouts.

Nelson I experienced as a wonderful combination of a smallish city and nature paradise. Having quiet places like the Anzac Park in the middle of the city brings in a calming atmosphere and that's one of the reasons why I enjoyed my extended stay there. Following the much appreciated tip of a Swiss expat I got to know through our volleyball-parents I had a very exciting night. I went camping at a place after a 45mins hike and 11km gravel road drive on Takaka Hill. The exciting bit was that I was miles away from any kind of civilisation. That's assuming that you don't see sheep as civilised beings, because there were plenty of them. Unfortunately I fell asleep before I could count them all.

Anyway after a fairly cold night I went back to Moana and drove to the beautiful and small town of Takaka. And that's where I still am! I spent about a week in Nelson and it's been one and a half week in Takaka so far. Somehow I felt home at both places so I just decided to stay longer. There's loads of things to do in Takaka and area, and luckily we have people who know their way round here and take us to see different places. That's very good to have and much appreciated by everyone!

I am still enjoying my travels and really got used to the lifestyle here which I think everyone should experience in their life. One big adventure is waiting for me in two days: I'm going to do the Heaphy Track with two people I met. The Heaphy Track is the longest of the so called Great Walks in New Zealand. Leading over a total length of 78 km and a 4 or 5 days hike it has a huge variety of vegetation, from beaches to rainforest over open country side. I'm actually flying to our starting point over the track with a Cessna!

I'm happy to say that I have adventurous and exciting days coming up. Hope all is good at your end and talk to you soon!

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Photos

Late Afternoon Sailing
For Götti and Regula : ))

Camp on Takaka Hill
Away from civilisation

Wharariki Beach
Take a look at the waves!

Creation of Water
Over millions of years these formations are being made by water floating through the rocks.

Comments

[Corinna]

Awesome picture!!! I have been in Nelson...grey in grey, so this is pic is quite unusual! ;)

[OliD]

Hey I'm happy you like it! still love the place though:)