We made our way to to the main office and were given a run through on the safety equipment, where to put our stuff, how to put a life jacket on and how to hold the paddle. We helped to load our kayaks onto a trailer and then it drove off, with all our stuff! We followed in quick pursuit to the waters edge in the very hot morning sun - which was fortunate as it was expected to rain. ( same old story)
Paul took control and opted for the steering role whereas I sat up front and reminded him to steer - we weren't having a domestic, not yet any way!
Captain Suzy in the 2 man Kayak -
Abel Tasman National Park
The sea was totally still, you could see the clouds reflected in their entirety it was so calm. Once the group had established a pace the guide began to take us into the rocks, weaving around outcrops and pointing out manuka trees, and tea trees, orchids and the nesting cormorants in the trees overhanging the water - it was spectacular.
We paddled for ages and pulled in to a small bay where we had hot coffee, ice cold apple juice and chocolate chip cookies, whilst we chatted about how far we had traveled and met the rest of the group. We made a quick sprint to the toilet on the adjacent beach which was only accessible as the tide was going out and were the last kayak to get back in the sea - it didn't matter, I didn't want to leave the empty beach.
Empty beach for lunch? Be rude not to.
Our last paddle seemed to fly by and we landed at Anchorage by lunchtime, ready for those kayaking all day to stop and for me and Paul to begin the long walk back to camp. We decided after heading off the beach in our flip flops that the steep climb was not possible unless we put on different shoes and more clothes to protect us from the brambles and bushes.
Ferns everywhere!
Four hours later we made it back to camp - it was a long trek, - 13km with the odd glimpse of the crystal blue sea. The wind had picked up but in the trees it was still very hot and muggy - we had a little bit of sunburn but really enjoyed the day.
Nice sunset, considering the forecast said 'rain'
26th February
The next morning we went to the office again - this time to catch the water taxi into the main part of the Abel Tasman Park. We jumped in the boat outside the office which was then towed down to the water and reversed into the sea by a tractor - very surreal.
The minute the boat was in the water the engine was at full speed and we were jumping over the crests of the waves - firstly we went to split apple rock, then dropped passengers off at Anchorage. Our skipper gave us lots of info along the way and pulled into visit a seal colony on one of the island. We ventured all the way up the park with our last port of call being Totaranui before the boat was turned around and we headed back to Bark Bay for another four hour walk in the forest. On the way there we spotted a little blue penguin in the water - sadly no dolphins as Paul went and said the "D" word!
We were quite glad to get out of the water taxi - having to take our shoes and socks off and wade through the water meant that we were no longer being buffeted and bounced along by the boat as it hit down on every crest and fall of the waves! Although, our feet were not happy at the prospect of another 14km hike up and down dale.
Pohutukawa flowers
We made it to Torrent Bay and even managed to find the right place to be picked up - we had unfortunately arrived an hour early, so we took the opportuity to eat our leftover pack lunches and stroll up and down with our feet in the water.
Water Taxi along the coast of Abel Tasman National Park
The tide was on the move with a water change of about 4 meters in some parts this was challenging for the taxis - we got on just in time - other people on our boat got soaked by the incoming waves as the boat got too deep to reach and when we got back to Marahau the same tractor rolled out into the sea - grabbed hold of the water taxi and drove us back to the campsite - very organised and a good day out yet again.
Dragged out by a fleet of waiting tractors
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