The Pix

Day 1 Queen Charlotte Sound: waiting in Picton for our water tax out to Ship Cove to begin our hike

Ship Cove

Day 1 Queen Charlotte: PB&J ready set go

Taking a rest to enjoy the view of Endeavour Inlet

Start of Day 2 Queen Charlotte

Punga Cove: our reward after Day 2

Sampling some Willy Wonka at start of Day 3 Queen Charlotte

A steep side trip lead us above the clouds

The view on the other side.  Queen Charlotte Sound is a part of the Marlborough Sounds on the northern tip of the South Island.  We are 474 meters high here. 

Nearing the end of Day 3 which was a 23 kilometer hike!  

Skip to Day 1 in Abel Tasman National Park.  We spent 3 hours on the water and seconds after setting up camp, a monsoon got really comfortable directly overhead.  Tent Slumber Party!   

 

Day 2 Abel Tasman sunrise.  We're crossing our fingers for no more rain!

Abel Tasman transport: Paul in the one man on the right, Anna & I in the 2 man.  The 3 of us had to pass a compulsory rescue of Paul (since he was in the one man) IN THE WATER before we were able to begin our trip alone.  That old chestnut. 

G-funks waiting for coffee Day 2

I was pretty excited about wearing a wet suit.  No really, now you know what to get me for Christmas.

Kayaks survived the monsoon! 

Day 2: relaxing after lunch in Torrent Bay

Anna & I pinky swore that we'd fully submerge in the Tasman Sea on our trip.  Believe or not that water was FREEZING.  We win. 

I'm an Oystercatcher baby 

The Man

The Legend

Day 2 camp in Mosquito Bay: glorious evening with the sandflies

Dr. Cutie

Amazing sunset in Abel Tasman

Day 3 Abel Tasman: 3 hours of paddling followed by super fast boat ride on water taxi!!  Happy days

No that is not a body double from Point Break!  It is in fact Darryl who scared the bejesus out of us on the first morning while he went over safety.  His instructions were "clear as mud" but always left us feeling "happy days".  "Ya know, that old chestnut".  Thanks Derrrr-Rellll