Abel Tasman (June 4)

Abel Tasman was well worth the visit. We stayed three nights here and had some time to visit a little of the area. I have always wanted to paddle and hike in Abel Tasman so we arranged a trip that would allow us to do both and also was kid friendly. As much as I would have enjoyed a 3-4 day trip I realized that early winter with a forecast for wet weather was not the best time for this. Instead we paddled from Marahau out to Watering Cove and on the way we went out to Adele Island and saw the seals. Since we had a six year old the company recommended a guide and this would also allow us to leave the kayaks and hike back while the guide arranged for the water taxi and took the boats back. It was worth it as our guide knew the area well and was able to show us things we would not have seen on our own. Bree went in the boat with the guide and Russ and I got to paddle together for a change.

We paddled for about two hours and then arrived at Watering Cove. Here we grabbed our daypacks and headed off on the trail alone. From Watering Cove back to Marahau is approximately 12km and I was a little concerned that this might be too long for Bree. I needn`t have worried because Bree had no problems at all and I don`t think Russ and I would have hiked it much faster on our own. Not only did we make it out in around three hours, Bree also provided a nonstop commentary about the surrounding forest all the while pretending to be Eleanor the chipmunk.

The next day was raining and fogged in so Russ and I each went for a run along the coast and then we drove out to visit the Ngarua Caves. I had not heard about the caves but the owner at our motel told us that they were worth a visit. Wow was she ever right! The caves are located in the Golden Bay region at about 2000 feet above sea level. The drive up to the caves was an adventure in itself. Unfortunately the fog made it impossible to see anything although the view is supposed to be spectacular. The tour was 45 minutes long and we walked underground through a series of caves. There were stalactites (from the top), stalagmites (bottom up) and also Moa bones (the now extinct bird that once roamed New Zealand).  One large middle section was named the Cathedral and the acoustics in here were amazing. We thoroughly enjoyed the tour and I was reminded of a tour I took as a teenager back in some similar caves in England. The tour ended with us climbing up a ladder and out a hole at the end of the caves. We walked back to the start across a landscape scattered with large stones. Apparently part of the filming for the Lord of the Rings took place here.