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

Regards to the Queen and Mr. Tasman

Have you missed us?!  Another epic adventure back down to the south island has separated our voice from your eyes but now we’re back to tell the tale.  Joined by our friend Anna, we left the laptops at home and spent 3 days hiking on the Queen Charlotte Sound track and 3 days kayaking in Abel Tasman National Park.  With the exception of 12 plus hours huddled in a tent to avoid a monsoon on day 1 in Abel Tasman, the weather gods were in a bright mood and blessed our trip with incredible sunshine.  Rare was the moment where I wasn’t humming a happy tune.   Invigorated soul - check.  

Mosquito Bay in Abel Tasman:  waiting for the tide to come back in so we could paddle to the next camp

 

Before BanAnna’s ferry arrived from Wellington, Paul and I drove from Blenheim down the east coast to Kaikoura.  The highlight to a superior day was just before sunset when we found a spot to walk inland from the beach through a bit of forest to a waterfall where heaps of baby fur seals were frolicking in the pool.  These pups entertain themselves for a few months while mum is out to sea.  

Pups are hard to see but the one in the lower right hand corner is swimming on its back ... You can see a few more closer to the waterfall.  They were speed through the pool then flip through the air.  Could have watched for hours. 

Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway

Can you see me standing on the edge of the world?

MORE PICTURES TO FOLLOWwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww...............................