If I had believed I had already seen the most beautiful parts of New Zealand, I would have been wrong. There seems to be no end to beauty in this country.
Today we went on a 10k hike in Abel Tasman National Park. In 1642, Dutch explorer Abel Tasman was the first European to discover New Zealand though he never actually set foot on land. After he anchored his two ships in what is now Golden Bay, a few Māori wakas headed out from shore. One group sounded a horn of some type. Tasman, thinking this was a welcome call, sounded the ship’s horn in reply. Unfortunately, this was taken as a challenge by the Māori who proceeded to kill four of Tasman’s men who were heading out in rowboats to greet them. Tasman pulled up anchor and sailed off lickety-split, and named the bay Murderers Bay. In 2014 it was renamed Golden Bay. Much better for tourism!
We took a boat from Kaiteriteri (about an hour from Nelson) to Medlands Beach. On the way we passed Split Apple Rock, the 17th most photographed rock in the world. There’s a useful piece of trivia for you!
The hike took us through lush forest with peek-a-boo views of the ocean, bays and pools beyond. It started out looking innocent enough …
but soon became a little more challenging with uphill climbs …
and wobbly 5-person-limit suspension bridges,
We reached the end of our hike and an excellent seafood barbeque at Torrent Bay Lodge. Here are some of the views along the way.
We had an hour or so following lunch to swim – Caitlin referred to the temperature of the water as “fresh” – or to wander on the beach. I sat about with an ice pack on my right ankle that somehow or other became sprained on the rough and ready path through the forest. 😦
We were ferried back to Kaiteriteri where we made a wet landing, then back to Nelson for dinner. It was a long but wonderful day in the New Zealand outdoors.
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