Early morning low tide hike across mud flats, crossing with new friends Lara and Jeff
Refreshing water after a couple hours kayak
How a master kayaker looks
Probably the only time my paddle wasn't going super fast in the water
To put it in easy words, Abel Tasman rocks. The national park in the northwest of the south island, is full of isolated, golden beaches and super clear blue water. It's what most people would consider an island paradise, scattered with islands and amazing shorelines along the coast. Seals and dolphins abound, along with sting rays and fish. From the jungle like mountains surrounding the water, down to the thick glass-like sand, or the smooth white sand, it's pretty amazing.
I spent 3 days there, kayaking for two of them and hiking for another. Camping out, surrounded by the dark starry sky at night, and walking through sea shell scattered beaches in the day. Not a bad way to enjoy pefectly sunny days.
The kayaking was definitely the best part. Stefan and I got suited up in our double kayak and set off exploring some islands first before sticking to the beaches along the coast. Seemed like every 15 minutes we were at another beach. Hardly anyone out there, as the tourist summer season is about over. Lots of lagoons and estuaries along the way, with one leading up to a river, only accesible at high tide. Paddled upstream to a swing bridge up above, where we talked with 2 people we would later see at the campsite and hike with the next day.
It was a great few days and a good way to get over a bit of illness I had after hiking in the Marlborough Sounds. More to come on that later.
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