Abel Tasman

---

I had two days off from work at the restaurant in Takaka this past week and was able to put together a two day backpacking trip to Abel Tasman National Park with my friend Jennie. The track weaves in and out of beaches and bays for about 5 days worth of walking (if you do pretty short days and lots of beach lounging) but we took a water taxi part way up the track and then hiked 4 hours the first day and 8 hours the second day and I felt like we pretty much saw the whole thing. We stayed in a hut so we didnt have to carry a tent and opted for a cold dinner instead of having to carry a stove and a pot so I was happy with my light weight pack.

The track itself was very flat (sea level pretty much says it all I guess). But I think it was a perfect reintroduction for me since it was my first backpacking trip post graves disease diagnosis. It felt great and it was as beautiful as everyone had told me.

Next week Im hoping to get to Nelson Lakes National Park......

---

Photos

abel tasman national park
how gorgeous is that??? It really looks just like that!

Seals!!
Real live seals sitting on the rocks as we walked by!! So amazing!

wianui beach
last stop on the track before the car park. We enjoyed a final swim which Jennie had the nerve to do naked. I was too much of a wimp.

Comments

[esther]

great new photos
Glad to be brought up to date. Good to hear you've been working some and hiking some. I've been painting not at all but working on those prints which will be shown next month in Chestertown.