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Published: April 7th 2008
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Okay!! This is my favorite yet! Seriously, the Abel Tasman might just be the highlight. I had baby seal pups chasing my kayake! How fun! And the seals are SO cute! They are playful and adorable. The sun was shining. We kayaked for 5 hours and grilled out lunch at a beach along the way. Then I stayed at the "Aqua-packers". I was not excited about this and thought it wouldn't be for me. But I don't know what I was thinking! It was SO for me! After kayaking, I laid on the beach, met a group of 4 Irish girls traveling together (6 months; I can't believe they haven't killed each other yet! Amazing...the Irish!) The little boat picks us up on the beach and we go to the big boat (looks like a big pontoon really), where we could enjoy a hot shower (which means the world when you are "camping" and after a day out feeling dirty), then they grilled out on the boat for us while we all enjoyed happy hour in the most beautiful ocean/beach surroundings. It was totally chill and lots of fun. The next day I hit the road by myself early so I
Lunch with my kayake guide
I was in a small group of wonderful, fun people. This was after playing with the seals in the kayakes. could get on with my tramp. I had planned for a long day, had to do about 7 hours, but it ended up going much more quickly than I had anticipated and I arrived at my exclusive 5 star ecolodge in the middle of the park by 3 pm, where I could have an organic gourmet lunch on the deck and then relax on the beach again. Oh, what a life! (By the way, this is by far, the most expensive place I've stayed on ALL my travels, since my friend Schramm convinced me to stay here, since she stayed here in the past. I told her it was way too much, but thank her for it now.)
I made friends with the organic gardener, who stopped by me on the beach to introduce himself. Can I mention that the gardener was a deep island tan and had muscles coming out of his muscles, if you get the picture. After a nice long chat, he said he was going for a swim. I decided to go too, honestly, I had to pee and this was the only choice closeby. However, I was quite surprised when he dropped his swim
Kayaking
with my American partner, Dawn; also taking a sebaticle and doing the world exploration thing... trunks! It was about 5 pm and perfect daylight! He said it was a better way to swim and he felt free. I couldn't help laughing alound. I was not about to be as free as him. So, of course the gardener invites me to party with the staff that evening. I go to my room to shower and have a fabulous dinner. I decide what the hell?...I wouldn't want to be rude and better go say hello to the gardener and friends in the "staff quarters". 😊 It's a very fun night. Everyone is cool and nice and we have lots of laughs. The gardener takes me on a night walk to see the eels and the glow worms, which twinkle in the dark. I do enjoy this. But I'm not naive, I am sure the gardener was hoping to show me more than that, but that didn't work out for him. I went home pretty early to rest from all the trecking and had another treck planned the next day....so much to see in this amazing park.
The next day I made it all the way to Separation Point, where the Tasman Sea and Golden Bay meet
and saw the seals playing again. I had a long day again of hiking and reading on the beach. Well, I had to lay on the beach since I was waiting for the tide to go down. At one point I had to carry my bag over my head and was walking in water up to my chest. Then the next crossing point was only up to my waist but I walked in the water like this for over 30 minutes, kinda crazy. My day of nature, exercise and sun was followed by wine and a 3 course dinner; this is getting to be a little too normal for me!
I loved every day in the Abel Tasman park (4 days, 3 nights) and actually felt sad to leave. It's a magical place, with dolphins, seals, golden sand beaches, and just never ending amazing scenery. I actually day dreamed about bar tending at the Awaroa resort and living amidst that beauty every day. The staff doesn't have it so bad, that's for sure!
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Lauren
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About time!
It is about time you updated your blog! I check daily and needed and update! Glad you are having such an amazing time. I have never been to a more beautiful place than New Zealand.