Today we were booked to take a scenic boat trip up the coast of the Abel Tasman National Park, which is supposed to be one of the highlights of South Island. We had to be on the beach at Kaiteriteri to catch the boat at 09.15. It had to be an early start as a dumping session was required and we needed to fill up with fresh water before setting off. Like most brochures, the pictures of Abel Tasman Park are shot in magnificent sunlight, unfortunately today it was sheeting with rain at 07.00 and continued to do so for the next 2 hours. By the time we arrived on the beach to catch the boat it was only raining, so the coastline was at least visible. As we worked our way up the coast, the rain eased off, but our photographs will not reflect the true beauty of the area.
The first stop was to view, what is allegedly the most photographed rock in South Island, called split apple rock. It is a sizeable granite rock, which, due to a freak of nature, or aliens from outer space, whichever you want to believe, has split straight through the middle. See below.
Next stop was Marahau, except for we didn’t, as nobody wanted to get on or off. Slipping through the Astrolabe Roadstead, which is a complete misnomer as it’s a stretch of water between the mainland and Adele Island and not a road, we turned into Torrent bay, where again nobody wanted to get on or off, but the captain issued a clear warning, that those boarding the boat at this beach had better be there on time, later in the day. He was meaning the poor souls who were getting off further up the coast and walking back to this beach to be picked up later. (Hopefully). Sweeping up past North Head and onto Bark Bay, with the weather improving all the time, we arrive to drop off the unfortunate souls who had been sentenced to walking back to Torrent bay. Casting them ashore with a smile and a wave, we will never know if they made it back in time.
Onwards to Tonga Island which is home to more New Zealand seals basking on the rocks. Yet more seal pictures. A few minutes later we arrive at Tonga Bay, only to find that there is not enough depth of water to land at the beach. That didn’t stop Captain Cook, so the gang plank is lowered from the bow and dropped into the water, as opposed to onto terra firma. Nobody is getting on or off here either. However, there is a carrier bag of shopping to go ashore for one of the locals. Down the gang plank goes one of the crew and wading up from the shore come the grateful recipient of the bag of groceries. With just sufficient water under the keels (another catamaran), we reverse out from the beach and almost decapitate a gentleman swimming in the sea.
Missing Awaroa, as we only visit that on the way back, we head for Totaranui, the end of the outbound cruise and start of the return journey. We were pretty much on the beach and certainly only a few feet from the water’s edge, when right alongside us swims a sting ray in just a few inches of water. The camera was just handy and I snapped it as it swam past. A couple of minutes later it returned for the benefit of those who did not have their cameras ready the first time. As we pushed back from the beach, two more rays did a swim past, but slightly deeper in the water making photos impossible.
Apart from stopping at Awaroa and another seal photo opportunity, the return journey was the same as going, getting us back into Kaiteriteri at mid day.
From Kaiteriteri we followed the main road (corkscrew) to Hawkes Bay Lookout Point which offers stunning views down the valley of the Riwaka River and out into Tasman Bay. Below are the orchards and other fruit fields, many of then covered in coloured nets to prevent the birds and insects from devouring the crops. They look like huge lakes of coloured water in a sea of green fields. Turning round at Ngarua caves we headed back to Motueka and strolled down the main street to take in the local colour on a Saturday afternoon. We popped into the supermarket for a bottle of red to go with this evenings dinner, then headed back to the site for a pre dinner powernap, followed by a swift half of Speights Distinction bitter for me and a glass of Sauvignon Blanc for Maureen. Speights Distinction is about as close to Speckled Hen as I’m likely to get for a couple of months.
This site is particularly well equipped in that it has a number of kitchen areas, which are spotless, as well as a number of big gas BBQ’s, also spotless, where you can cook your dinner instead of using your van facilities. Tonight we barbequed big, thick cut, porterhouse steaks, which were absolutely delicious. As we are in the fruit growing area, we picked up some fresh fruit at a roadside vendor and had very fresh fruit salad for dessert. All washed down with a bottle of Australian red.
Next task was to plan tomorrows journey, which will be a full days driving to Greymouth. It is apparently three and a half hours solid driving, so that means at least 8 hours, by the time we have a number of Kodak moments and a few brew ups. What’s not apparent from the map, is just how twisty the roads are between here an Greymouth. It makes a huge difference to both average speed as well as tiredness. We hope to be away by around 08.00 and the forecast for tomorrow is pretty good.
Our Christmas presents are in good use tonight, as we are playing music from the ipod whilst typing this blog and Maureen is on the DSi playing cards. Thanks girls.
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