AH! A lazy morning! I do not need as much sleep now, must be over jet lag. but it is nice to have no urgency today. I will just help Noreen get ready for our trip tomorrow to the Gold Coast of Australia to visit her parents, Jeeta (my "sister" and Boon).
yesterday started early when I got up at 6 a.m. to a prediction of clear weather. I called around to see if any cruise tours were available out to Abel Tasman Nat. Park. They were still closed, but at 7:25 I found out that Noreen and the baby were sick and that I needed to get to the bus depot by 7:45 if I wanted to get the bus out of town to the location of a possible cruise (no promise there would be room on the boat for me). So I grabbed a protein bar, apple and my water bottle and threw them in my small backpack with my camera and started power walking. when I realized I was running out of time I started running...maybe a half mile! I got to the depot 5 minutes late, but guess what! the bus was late leaving, so they ran out and told the driver to wait for me. she was mad, but I got on! I was meant to have that journey! It was a beautiful 1.5 hour drive north in a Comfy motor coach. I arrived just in time to make a very quick decisio. On what tour to catch and pop in to the store to buy a sandwich and snacks and pop onto the amphibious boat on the beach. with no delay, we headed out of harbor.
what a glorious cruise!! what a beautiful morning!
the pilot toured us along the coastline showing points of interest, such as Split Apple Rock,the seal rock islands where the baby seals had recently been born, interesting birds and fabulous rock formations all along. We dropped some people off along the way, delivered packages to people on beaches where they are land-locked and continued to north. The sea was clear and smooth, and although the winter day was chilly enough for frost, the sun was warm when you were sheltered and dressed warmly. We turned around at some point. I was set off on shore with two other people at Bark Bay. we were to tramp back about two hours to Torrent Bay/Anchorage where we would be collected iin three hours. I would have been fine to hike alone, but this lovely couple invited me to hike with them, so I did. I could not have had pleasanter companions! Komal and Tarun. Originally fromIndia, they are Gen. Practitioner M.D.'s who worked a six month contract on the north island and are now exploring the rest of NZ.
we had a marvelous trAmp through the forests and jungles! some parts were very damp and full of ferns, from the tiniest you ever saw to huge tree ferns! Other parts of the track were much drier and totally different flora, lots of interesting lichens. In fact, I would dub all of NZ the land of the lichen. it was a workout, but with wonderful views peeking out through trees! When we made it to Torrent Bay, we had two choices: walk another hour on a high track Around the outside of the tidal area to stay dry OR wAlk right across the sandy tidal area with bare feet, fording a couple of icy streams as we go, but take about half the time. We opted for the latter, and I enjoyedmit since we stayed out in the sunshine. I am not sure I could say Komal enjoyed it, for her feet are more tender than mine, but she is a great sport and smiled throughout. I know she preferred to walk in the sunlight anyway.
at Anchorage beach I found a quiet place to enjoy lunch and listen to the birds quietly by myself. I think we had about 45 minutes there before the boat took us. there were about a dozen people in the area...very international.
It was a chilly boat ride back, but so beautiful in the slanting Golden sun of the afternoon! Back at Kauteriteri there was just enough time to warm up in the cAfe with a pot of tea, gazing out at the sea, before to bus arrived. the two hour trip home was incredible because the huge bus windows allowed an amazing view of an ever-changing and colorful sunset over the mountains! AH!!!
Back home, I helped Noreen get the roSties cooked and we had a lovely evening that involved a good amount of laughter. (planning packing...turns out she and I have much in common, including the tendency to pack everything including the kitchen sink to travel for even the shortest trips!). today we prepare...
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