The 3hr ferry ride from Wellington to Picton on the south island was a little bit more interesting than the channel crossing! It was a winding path and the scenery was like something out of the Lost World. After arriving at Picton we made our way to Nelson and the Abel Tasman National Park, where we were going to spend the next 3 nights. On arrival we decided we were going to go camping in the Abel Tasman National Park the next night so everyone was really excited about doind that. Apart from a few drinks in the evening we also took the brief walk to stand at a point known as the 'middle of New Zealand' and watch the sun set. We ended up missing it but there were still some good views none the less. The next day I woke woke up early and got on a bus that took us to Marahau where we would catch the water ferry to take us to the campsite at Barks Bay. The water taxi gave us some really good photo opportunities and when I arrived in Barks Bay the beach was like paradise. Mum, Dad and Emma you would have loved it! As I got up there earlier than the rest of the group I had the chance to chill out on the beach for 3 hours and get eaten alive by sand flies (which are still itching now!). The campsite was literally right on the beach and it made for a really good night of BBQ's and a camp fire. It was a nice change to sleep in a tent rather than a hostel for once. When we woke up in the morning, the 3 none lazy ones from the group (Me, Stuart and Peter) made the 7hr hike from Barks Bay to Marahau. This gave us a really good chance to see why the Abel Tasman National Park is regarded as the best in New Zealand. Overall the 3 days we spent in Nelson were a really good laugh.