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Beckie's Big Bling
Seeing as my last installment mentioned fingers crossed for a smooth crossing to the South Island, I am sure there will be those among you pleased to hear, it was VERY ROUGH! The crossing before ours was cancelled and when they decided ours could go they did warn it was going to be choppy. After enjoying the entire 4 hour journey from the comfort of the upper class cabin toilet I can now safely say I am never booking a cruise ship holiday!!
Seeing as the driver (me!) was not feeling 100% when we exited the ferry decided to stay in Picton which was a nice and quiet port town. The hostel was cheap and soon found out why, when your bed is in a dorm of 30! The next day met up with Dan, who had sensibly flown between the islands! We stopped for lunch in Haverlock to sample the largest muscles I have ever seen and now agree with the town's statement of the muscle capital of the world!!
We then drove west on the coast road to reach the start of the Abel Tasman national park. The following day we started on our 51km coastal trek with the plan to sleep in some simple huts on the beach. We were blessed with sunshine and so allowed as to make the most of the stunning beaches. Our first night in Anchorage Hut was unfortunately not so enjoyable. Early in the night we soon realised we were not alone!! Mice too decided my bunk was nice and warm, even thought they would chew my toothpaste for good measure too! The next day was then a bit more tiring on little sleep so thought would stop by a cafe for a quick snack. This soon turned into a 3 course meal and the best food i have had on the trip so far! Unfortunately our little detour meant we were trying to walk the last half an hour to the next hut in the pitch black, trying to avoid river inlets and the ocean on the way! After an hour eventually found the hut with all of us having wet feet from a river Dan declares was definately not on the map, oh really!!
Final day was just a short walk to the beach to catch the water taxi back to the car. Even got to stop and see some seals on the way back with all their young pups!
Then drove down to Greymouth where Sarah and I stayed for a few days before driving to Christchurch via Arthurs Pass. So far we have walked around the city and enjoyed finding somewhere more english than england! Going to relax until Sunday when Squigs and Mark are coming over from the UK and then the whistle stop tour of the South Island can really begin!
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