We left off in Kaikoura where we drove further north to the town of Blenheim. This is the "wine country" of NZ. We spent two nights there tasting wines and relaxing. It is much like the Sonoma Valley we visited in California a few weeks ago. The area is known for its Chardonnays so we tasted many and bought one. We also found a little chocolate boutique where they hand make all their chocolates. You can watch through the glass and have a free taste. It doesn't get much better than wine and chocolate.
We also stopped in a local discount store called the Warehouse to get a warmer duvet for the camper van. We have very few complaints about our campervan (aside from some plumbing issues) but it is a bit cool at night and the linens provided are quite thin. As we head south towards the glaciers and it gets later into Fall it is going to be even colder. (Sara will say "we" were cold but I think we all know who really wanted the extra quilt!!!)
From Blenheim we headed to the northernmost city on the south island called Nelson, near the Abel Tasman National park. The roads here along the coast are beautiful with fantastic views but very windy and cliff side. If you don't get car sick you will once you drive these roads in a camper van!! We camped a few kms outside of Nelson and walked around the town. We were lucky to be there for their Saturday morning market and got some wonderful fresh fruits and veg. Then it was off to Marahau, a small town closer to the Abel Tasman.
Alex at the start of the trail (where we actually finished our tramp)
Our first day in the park we took a water taxi up the coast to a small bay called Torrent bay. The national park is the smallest of the ones in NZ but also sees the most visitors each year. We hiked (they call it tramping here in NZ) from Torrent bay about 14kms along the coast and evergreen mountains to the start of the national park and back to our van. The coast is beautiful with sandy beaches and blue/turquoise waters.
We stopped for lunch at one of the beaches and had a swim. We had the whole beach to ourselves for most of our break.
More views from the tramp.
The park has fantastic paths that you can tramp and camp for several days in the park. It is only accessible by tramping or boat. Several lucky people even have holiday homes in the park which are rare and very expensive.
After a long day of tramping we returned to camp and hit the hay early. The next morning we had booked a kayak trip with a local company called Kiwi Kayaks. We would be kayaking up the coast of that national park about 15 kms with several other couples and a guide.
Taking a break at one of the beaches along the way
We had morning tea and biscuits at a beach called sandfly beach. Note to self- they wouldn't call it sandfly beach if it wasn't true. Too bad we didnt have any repellant. We are paying the price now, several days later. Alex and I have the bite marks all over our legs to prove it.
We couldn't ask for better weather. It was warm but not too hot and the sun was out all day. We all took time for swims off the beach during lunch break.
I think we could both get used to this life!
No we didn't tip the boat and Alex did a fantastic job steering (Naturally!!!). Maybe we will trade the camper van in for a kayak and see the rest of the country by boat?
From Abel Tasman we head to the west coast and glaciers!! Stay tuned.
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