The Legendary Abel Tasman

So, we got snaked on the rain on the Kepler, but we certainly were not expecting rain on the Abel Tasman, and sure enough, we were right! The Abel Tasman is pretty legendary, not for its gnarly conditions, but for its laid back beaches, easy hiking, and great weather. When most people look at brochures of New Zealand, often photos of Abel Tasman are some of the first to be seen (along with the naked tattoo'ed man sticking his tongue out, waving a sharp stick like a raving madman).

A little prelude: We spent a wonderful relaxing Christmas near Motueka in a small little cottage. It was a nice change from sleeping in our van - not dissing Storm at all - he's pretty comfy, but it was nice to have a bed, kitchen and bathroom. Our cottage overlooked the vineyards with glimpes of the sea beyond. We even had a friendly horsey who would join us for dinner. We spent a quiet little Christmas together, enjoying the sunshine and beautiful area, but missing friends and family at home.

On Boxing Day, we hit the trail. While the Abel Tasman is not that long, we decided to take it slow and spent 5 days hiking it. It can easily be done in 3. We were tenting this time, so we had to pack all the tent, thermarests, cooker and the whole kit. We definitely downscaled the warm clothes and wet-weather gear and left my big fat MEC sleeping bag at home.

[Oh yeah, an aside on sleeping bags: there was an article written in the Wilderness Magazine here that had this to say about sleeping bags: Sleeping bags can be compact, cheap and warm. When shopping for one, pick two of the three. - this is so true - you cannot have it all].

The Abel Tasman is as beautiful as they say. The hiking winds through the forests filled with Manuka and Beech trees and ferns everywhere. It is no wonder the national symbol of NZ is the fern (there is currently a movement to have their flag changed to a white fern on black background).

As you walk, around every corner you never know what will be there... more lush forest, or a wide open view of a golden sand beach and pure blue/green clear waters.

The hiking was totally different that what we are used to, both from at home (Frontenac/Algonquin) and on the Kepler. There were so many little beaches to stop at and rest up with a snack before heading back off to the next beach.

It is also a spectacular place to kayak, and there are no less than 10 companies catering to wanna-be sea kayakers. They will pickup and drop off practically anywhere on the trail so you can mix and match hiking with kayaking.

We hiked, since we are effectively flat broke now ;) but I would highly recommend this hike to less-hardcore hikers wanting a beautiful and relaxing experience in the wilderness of New Zealand.

Some of the highlights: Cheryl taking off on morning trail runs since the hiking didn't nearly wipe her out enough; getting chased down by nesting birds on the beach; seeing a octopus in the shallow sandy waters change colours from red to blue; crossing wide tidal flats, and; soaking up the sun and chilling out!