Nelson - South Island

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SCwrites: For our last few hours in Wet and Windy Wellington, the sun come out and we were able to explore the waterfront (very attractive repurposed old buildings, bars restaurants etc) and take a trip up the funicular railways for some great views out over the city and a neat little museum.

The fligt over to South Island (Nelson) was uneventful but did offer some great views of the wild and rocky coastline.

Yesterday wedrove up to the Abel Tasman National Park and took a crise alongthe shore line. Great views and, in a great surprise, we encountered bottle nose dolphins. Not just a few but scores of them. I got one great photo of one rigth alongside the boat but they were all over. Even the boat crew were exited ("first time in three weeks") and the captian stopped and was takingphotos himself!

You get lucky sometimes. The the weather which had been bright but chilly, turned and it got cold and wet! That did not deter the many walkers who had done one section or another of the park and then were picked up by boat. One for Cliff & Sue.

On the drive back a small navigation error had us driving up mountain passes on remote gravel roads. That was all a bit too exciting but we got back in one piece and enjoyed a good meal in Nelson. Today we'll explote the local arts and craft scene.

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Photos

Dolphins
Part of a lcoal super pod (several hundred)

Comments

[Cathy]

Boats!
We’ve seen quite a few of New Zealand’s little ports and marinas so far, and they’re all crowded with smallish boats. Apparently there are more boats per capita in NZ than anywhere else in the world!