The South Island Road Trip: Part V: How to Get Around Without a Motor

Kia Ora,

10/12/2014 - 12/12/2014   Abel Tasman

Abel Tasman is contestant number 2 for the best location in the south island. It may be the smallest national park in NZ, but with golden sands sprinkled across a rainforest covered coastline and kissing the transparent ocean, it was perfect.

On arrival we visited split apple rock beach and did a bit of rock climbing before heading back to eat. All five of us took advantage of the empty kitchen and cooked whilst singing and dancing to Taylor Swift. Another notable Joker card moved on this night- Pauline tried to be funny by licking cheese and pretending to put it back. Instead, she through it back in the bowl causing all sorts of controversy haha!

Me, Dannii, Pauline and Adele woke early the next morning for sea kayaking. We had a three hour guided tour around some of the coastline and the islands close by. We beached appropriately at Adele Island (which I conquered and renamed Ben Island) before heading back out and around Adele Island to find a seal colony, including pups!

After parking the kayaks within Abel Tasman, we ventured back to our hostel along the Abel Tasman track via the beach. The walk followed the coastline so the rewards were high for a less-than-strenuousness walk :-)

That night we cooked to more Taylor Swift, played games and a serious late night water fight broke out between me, Liam and Pauline. After several waves of attacks Liam scarpered back to the room only to find we had filled his pillow case with rocks! Muwahaha!

The next day me, Dannii and Pauline were up early once more, this time for some casual horse riding on the beach! I rode the youngster of the group, Frank. Apart from being a bit panicky amongst the other horses, he was good to ride. I hope I get another chance to ride a horse in the not to distant future.

Our trip in Abel Tasman ended as it begun. We spent the afternoon on Split Apple Rock Beach only this time a few of us swam out to it. This moment was made even more perfect by the cruise ships that came to look at the split apple rock whilst we were sat in it. We didn't have time to move, so a lot of lucky tourists now have photos of us three on and in the rock!

I can't finish this chapter without informing you of a Joker card change on route to Nelson. With the mass of seagulls around, Dannii got pooed on from above. Funny, yes. But then Liam sat down next to her VERY close to the fresh stuff. So close we all thought he had. And when he got up to prove he hadn't, he stuck his big hand in it haha! It may have been the funniest moment of the trip!

See you in Nelson,

Kia Ora,

Ben