Sunday 16th January Wellington/Picton - Abel Tasman

We have a very early start today as we are booked on to the 8:00 am ferry to Picton where we will be picked up by another bus and another guide.

Check in at the ferry terminal is 7:00 am so we met Lucky at 6:40 am to load up the bus - she has learnt about my caffeine addiction over the last 5 days and she had bought me a cappuccino bless her!!!!!At the ferry terminal we said goodbye to all the friends we have made over the last 5 days and checked in our luggage for the 3.5 hour crossing.Robin, Cathy & Charlie will eventually make it to the South Island where they are going to do their own tour, but we are hoping to meet up with them again in Oz as they plan to visit KangarooIsland.Antonella, Jumpy, Chris, Bob & Ilona all headed home.

The ferry crossing was uneventful except for the awful smell that pervaded the whole boat - apparently there was a lorry on board that was transporting heads and hooves of dead cows!!Ant stayed on the outer deck taking pictures but it was too smelly and too windy for me.We were met the other side by Wozza (Warren) and his bus Catrin - our guide and bus for the next 2 weeks.We have also picked up another passenger, Camilla, who is hitching ride back to Christchurch with us.There are now only 13 of us on the bus so we have all spread out and grabbed a seat each.

On route to Abel Tasman, as well as stopping for supplies at a supermarket, we also made a stop at a local winery where we got to try 6 or 7 local wines. The Nautilus Estate nestles in the lee of the RichmondRanges of the Marlborough area, and produces Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc wines.

Abel Tasman, New Zealand's smallest National Park at 23,000 hectares has a high iron mineral content in the rocks which gives the beaches a beautiful golden colour.It is located at the top of South Island and is renowned for its golden beaches, sculptured granite cliffs, and world-famous Abel Tasman Coast Track.

Once again we are stopping at a campsite - conditions are a bit basic at this one though!!!!We have upgraded to a double (rather than shared, dorm accommodation), which is an 8 x 10 "shed" with a double bed and NOTHING else in it.We don't even have power and unfortunately we are here for 2 nights.

Wozza cooked dinner for us tonight - green lipped mussels, barbecued lamb chops and sausages, garlic bread, salad and quiche for the veggies.After dinner, Ant and I walked down to the local bar / restaurant for dessert.