Abel Tasman National Park

After having to transfer buses due to over booking and people standing we finally arrived in Marahau just after midday. We had a little walk to Old Macdonalds Farm; our accomodation for couple nights. We were staying in a little hut with to in built bunks, it was basic but had a cosy feel to it. There were chickens with chick sand ducklings, peacocks etc ...was so nice. Outdoor living just on the edge of the lush hills of the national park. The kitchen area was outside too just under a shelter with fridge and microwave out in the open too!!! Loved it ...so relaxing and chilled. We dumped our stuff donned the hiking boots and headed into the park.

We decided just to do a couple hours walk up the coast for the day and walk back. We set off across masrshland/upper shore on the boardwalks. The view almost took my breath away. New Zealands landscape just gets better and better never failing to amaze. The tide was out and due to the bay being so flat when its out you can't see it for miles. There was stunning golden sands, blue sparkling water, lush green hills and the mountainous background of the opposite side of the bay(where we had just come from). The coastal track a nice easy flat walk, with stunning views all the way. Lots of little lush coves with clear blue water and small islands all around. There were lots of people walking the track, and kayakers in the water; though when we decided we walked far enough and climbed down to one of the beaches it very quiet. It was so nice to be on a beach again with hardly any one else. We lounged around for quite a while before deciding to walk back.

Back at old Mac's farm we took a look at getting water taxis, to plan our adventures the next day. Lowe and behold we couldn't really afford to go to far afield and get two taxis; so we decided to got the same route though a lot further on and then get the water taxi back. We treated ourselves to an ice cream and got an early night. The hut was surprisingly warm.

We slept in a bit but it didn't matter as we had the latest water taxi booked back from Anchorage bay in the national park. We set off... once past the part of the track we had already walked we took more notice of the views into the bay...stunning again... with glorious sunshine. Though in the process of taking in the scenery i did trip up a few times which could have been pretty lithel, as the drop down the path edge was pretty much a vertical drop!!!

After what we assumed was about half way we stopped for some lunch at yellow point lookout; gorgeous bays with golden sands were on both sides. Just a little way on the track took us inland for a short while i could tell it was getting very hot without the sea breeze. Soon we were nearing our destination, a had a small slope to the top where we came out coastwards again. At the top there a lookout point wih an information board explaining the golden sands. Though i wasn't too interested as the view was such a lovely sight. Just like a little piece of paradise. We decended towards it. Anchorage bay was a fairly long curving beach with caves and and soft carved rocks at one end and sailing boats moored at the other end of the bay. It was a little more busy than other beaches but still nothing compared to ours in the summer. 

As we walked onto the beach a little hot and bothered the sea looked so inviting it just had to be done. Just as we got sorted there were three other slim bikini glad girls heading into the water. Sam practicaly ran straight in as not to be out done (it was alittle chilly but not that bad), i couldn't believe it usuallly she takes a little longer and theres lots of cusing and screeching involved. It just shows what a little competition can do!!! though she had no reason to worry they pootled about upto there waists for five seconds and then were back out again ( ponces!!!).

We must have been in the water for bout three quarters of an hour; it was so nice and refreshing. (we played handstands aswell like a couple of kids). Typically just after we had got out of the water it started to cloud over and get chilly so all clothes and coats were donned though we still felt a little chilly. We chilled on the beach for a while and explored the caves. Then at five just realised that the water was taxi was in just in time. It was a small bout with seats for about 15 people; we had to wade out which seemed quite funny, it was all due to the tides. Theboat zipped along, enjoyed it so much being on the water again in little boat. Also had fun laughing at people having to wade into shore....a little mean i know. When we arrived back to Marahau beach, a tractor and trailer came right into the water to pick us up and tow us right back to the centre. Seemed quite odd and funny being in a boat travelling on land being towed along the road...but  i guess simple things!!!

We walked back home!!( everywhere is home...so strange but a good feeling)..it wasn't very far but we knew we would have to walk it with our packs on in the morning not a nice thought. After our day walking we deserved another treat so after tea we had anothet treat, in the cafe onsite. We got dessert, one mud cake one banana cake served with cream and ice cream!!!... a little bit naughty really especially when they came out and we saw the size of them ...almost made ourselves feel sick.

Up early to walk to the bus (which they had told us they had got the wrong company so it was a different one butsame time same place). When we got to the stop we found out it was in fact gonna stop down the road where we had come from and we would have to flag it down. To cut a long story short it was a complete c*** up by the info centre who booked it, and by pure luck we managed to get on the right bus and get back to Nelson. We did have to rant at the nice young chap at the desk when we got there....