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Ok, so this is the first blog I've pre-written in my diary before publishing. Normally I like to write and post straight away so that I don't overthink my writings, much like essays and exams but this blog is quite a lengthy tome. My first couple of days in Nelson I think have, without wanting to sound like I'm exaggerating, been emotionally the toughest of the trip mostly because I needed to shake myself and get a grip but also because I missed family, friends and funnily enough routine, a lot. My physical state I think took a bit of a bashing because of how I was emotionally too. My digestion has gone absolutely haywire and as a result I've felt more exhausted than I would normally. However, lets get past that and onto the positives (finally they say!). I was once again lucky enough to bump into Penny a Dutch girl I'd met in the hostel in Kaikoura, at my hostel in Nelson, what a small world! Penny is extremely sweet and as a daycare worker shares my love of kids and totally understood me missing my nieces and nephews which was really great! We spent two nights in Nelson and she left for Collingwood on the same bus that was taking me to Takaka. As most of you will have heard my first night in Takaka was spent in a clothing optional or naturist hostel as they like to be referred to. I was I will admit slightly apprehensive about this, not because I was planning on getting my kit off but because I wanted to make sure I was respectful of the host and guests and their environment which lets face it is a bit alien to me! Everything here took me by surprise - the environment and also my reaction to it. It was wonderful, warm, friendly and interesting, much like a little home away from (nudist) home! Paul the owner made me feel at ease and the other guests engaged me in great conversation almost immediately. I also discovered that nudity gets old pretty quickly, I would say 5 minutes and you're over it. My second day in Takaka I moved to Annie's nirvana lodge up the road, saying goodbye to Paul and his little family was quite sad actually, it was an experience I'm so glad to have had. To my joy I found an Ashtanga class in this sleepy little town which I attended two mornings in a row. I have really missed regular practice while moving around and feel that lack of it has an impact on my body and mind (corny as that sounds). It would seem biking and hiking just doesn't cut the mustard for me physically so I've decided when I arrive on the farm I need to make it a priority to practice for at least ten minutes everyday. The teacher in Takaka was really cool, originally from South East London she had upped sticks and moved her baby and partner to Takaka to start a new life! How brave are some people eh! Feeling refreshed and grounded I was able to fully appreciate the eccentricity of Takaka. Such colourful characters call this little place home and life here seems to be very much about self-sufficiency, sustainable living and care free enjoyment. There is very little wealth in Takaka, or if there is it's well hidden. There just seems to be lots of wonderful people who prove that possessions and constant hustle bustle don't do much to soothe the soul. After lunch I took one of the hostel bikes out to seek out the Rawhiti caves. The bike ride itself was beautiful if not poorly signposted. I arrived at the cave to find it was a 2 hour return hike uphill. After a 40 minute bike ride in the baking heat I must admit I was a bit pooped but these caves were well worth it. Easily the most amazing I've seen in my life and the first phytokarst ones I think I've seen too. Later that evening I chilled out with a Canadian girl whose name escapes me, listening to jazz records outside the hostel. Next morning all set to head off and get the bus, a German girl I had befriended called Aliah, said hey why don't we hitch hike to Nelson together. Now..as Europeans I think we have an in-built and justified apprehension to hitch hike due to numerous horror stories and a general lack of trust. However, everyone here does it and recommends it so I said hey why not. Sure enough we got picked up within 10 minutes by a German guy called Ludwig who was heading to Motueka, more than half way to Nelson. Ludwig was incredibly interesting and good looking which didn't hurt either! He was a trained graphic designer with a degree in fine art and philosophy, who had turned to photography to make a living. His car was littered with analog cameras and film to be developed, minimal clothes and some camping gear. His passion was photographing people and how they interact with their environment. He kindly let us off in Motueka and we said our goodbyes. Within another ten minutes we were picked up by a French couple, Elise and Pierre, who were headed direct to Nelson. They entertained us with some quality Spanish ghetto tunes and the story of their incredible whirlwind romance! I know that my parents would have a canary if they knew I'd chosen to hitch in a foreign country but I can safely say those were two of the most interesting car journeys of my life thus far. I feel so grateful to be meeting such inspiring people every day in so many different situations. No one person is ever even similar to the last. Takaka has definitely kept a little piece of my heart, it was so unique. And just as I've arrived back to Nelson who called my name from the lounge only Penny!
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