Christmas in the sun

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Wow, what a difference from the usual snow we see each year. We spent Christmas around the Nelson area to the north of the South Island. Our Christmas present to each other was a day sea kayaking in the Abel Tasman National Park on Christmas Eve which was an amazing experience. Despite all we have heard about South Island nothing had prepared us for just how mind-blowingly beautiful it is.

Christmas Day we took ourselves further north and off the beaten track to walks though haunting beech forest to huge caves, then to the stunning Golden Bay. Christmas lunch consisted of a sausage sandwich overlooking the sea with hardly a soul in sight; it tasted great and we didn't miss the turkey! In the evening we settled down in the campervan for a more traditional Christmas persuit - watching a film, Dreamgirls, on DVD and eating our Christmas Pud!

We headed to the remote west coast on Boxing Day where we found a campsite to spend the night in Rapahoe. The campsite was stuck in the 1950's, but had real character and was located on a remote beautiful beach. That night we cooked up some pasta in the back of the van, poured a glass of New Zealand red wine and sat on a piece of driftwood on the beach watching the sun set. We couldn't have wished for a better Christmas despie missing all of our family and friends back home.

HAPPY NEW YEAR! Wishing you a very happy and healthy 2008. Thanks for all the messages and keep them coming, it's great to hear from you.

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Photos

South Island adventurers
Our journey down this coastline proved to be one we will never forget

Malborough Sounds
First view of South Island from the ferry

Abel Tasman National Park
Split Apple Rock

Bark's Bay
Tramping in Abel Tasman

Kayaking in Abel Tasman National Park
Our Christmas present

Canaan Forest, Christmas Day tramp
Location for Chetwood Forest in Lord of the Rings

Harward Hole
The biggest tama (cave) in the southern hemisphere. It was a very long way down.

View of the River Takaka Valley
Up in the clouds

Pohutukawa tree
The New Zealand Christmas Tree

Golden Bay
A stroll before lunch

Punakaiki Pancake Rocks
Limestone rock formations being shaped by the wild sea

Rapahoe Beach
Where is everyone?

Rapahoe Beach
Taking it easy after a busy Christmas

Comments

[john]

Happy New Year
Actually I guess it's new year for you two already, or close enough anyway. It's only jsut over a month now until my trip begins and I'll see you around the 18/19th Feb. Can't wait. Pictures are fab btw. Beats Christmas rain here. JPx