Day Five - Whariwharangi to Nelson...

Only a 1.5 hour walk from Whariwharangi to the bus stop in Wainui, and then I was on my way back to Nelson. Went out to eat something that hadn't been freeze-dried and prepared for the bus ride to Christchurch.

Day Four - Awaroa to Whariwharangi

I took an hour's detour to visit Separation Point to hang out with seals. It rained a bit but overall, was a pretty good day weather-wise. Arrived at the hut and thought I would be the only one there, but then another American showed up, and a guy from Catalan, and a woman from England.

Day Four - Awaroa to Whariwharangi

Day Three - Bark Bay to Awaroa

I walked for about four hours, then sat down to watch the tide go out. All afternoon. Read a book, too, Martin Amis' Time's Arrow.

Day Three - Bark Bay to Awaroa

Day Two - Anchorage to Bark Bay

Short three-hour walk after an early tidal crossing. You have to pay attention to these things in Abel Tasman. I took my time, met a few people on the way, too. At the hut, another big group, but this time they were a school group of 16-year-olds. Also, chatted with a French guy traveling for a year, or so. He recommends Peru.

Day Two - Anchorage to Bark Bay

Day One - Marahau to Anchorage

Walked for about four hours from the beginning of the park to the Anchorage Hut. Arrived to find a part of 23 senior citizens on their annual tramping holiday. The average age was probably 75. They were planning to walk twice as far as I was the next day. New Zealanders are serious about tramping.

I also met a very nice German girl who forgot the insoles of her hiking boots, and a 20-year-old guy from Quebec kayaking and hiking the park.

Day One - Marahau to Anchorage

I'm back.

Had an awesome week in the park. Pictures are coming....

I'm off!

I'll be in Abel Tasman until Saturday afternoon (that's Friday evening for most of you) so no updates for awhile.

It should be a good warm-up for the Milford Track, since I have to carry everything, but without any trecherous Mt. Doom-like climbs.

Lots of pictures at the end of the week!

Interislander ferry.

Tomorrow morning I'm taking the ferry south to Picton. Then, hopping on a bus to Nelson. Should be about six or seven hours of travel.

I'm making my way to Abel Tasman National Park to start hiking on Tuesday.

Wellington

Wellington is a really cool town. It's compact, so easy to walk around. Has some interesting public spaces and architecture. And, a great museum of NZ called Te Papa.

Today, we fly.

Mara is going all the way back to NC and I'm taking a quick flight down to Wellington (again, cheaper than the bus).

The last drive.

We took an involuntary, but scenic, detour somewhere between Turangi and Auckland.

Happy Thanksgiving.

We're celebrating today (Friday) in solidarity with you all (since we're a day ahead).

The day after.

We're both a little sore after climbing the volcano for three hours and then walking down the other side for about five. It was a long walk for a one-day trek.

Lake views.

Mara.

Can you see the path?

The Emerald Lakes and the Blue Lake.

In front of the Blue Lake.

The Red Crater.

What we left behind us.

This was a one-way crossing.

Here we go. Mt. Ngauruhoe.