Accents on the Park Nelson

Arrived safely from Australia having had to go through a rigorous process to get in. They are so strict I had to have my boots washed because I said I had been on a farm!! Oh well that over Scenic Circle Airdale Hotel made up for it as I was double-booked into one room they gave me a suite instead - bargain. Picked up early on day one of my 21 day New Zealand Tour of North and South Islands. Its a bit drizzling but its not cold. North Island Day 1 - Auckland to Bay of Islands. Going to Bay of...

I was lucky enough to be met by Steve from the airport on my arrival into Auckland and I took up his kind offer of staying at his place once I had decided that he definitely wasn't an axe murderer, although I think he could be quite dangerous with a safety pin. Steve's helicopter business primarily deals with taking reporters or photographers to deal with news stories, so pretty exciting stuff. He was kind enough to act as my Auckland guide whilst I stayed there but didn't mention Sheepworld ...

I am in Nelson now and have booked a kayak/hiking trip up and down the Abel Tasman Park with an overnight camping on deserted golden beach. The area is famed for it's azure waters and the best beaches in NZ. The weather is set fair so hopefully will be good. Then going to Marlborough Sounds to explore for a day or so. Captain Cook returned to this area again and again as he loved it so much. Shipcove and other beaches acknowledge his explorations. The area is a maze of flooded river valleys c...

Could not get a good nights sleep. For some reason the gently lapping sounds of waves on a beach sounded like a howling gale. Maybe it was the realisation that I had been clobbered by the sand flies whilst pitching my tent in the sand the day before. What a beautiful day though. Could not have hoped for better weather. Not unusual according our kayak guide as the Tasman mountains soak up all the rain leaving the sun shining on this beauty spot. After stricking camp on the beach met 10 yards a...

Dorota didn't fancy the kayaking, so she sat on the beach while I disappeared off with our maori instructor, and various willing paddlers including scouse Dave, with whom I shared a double kayak, (fortunately he's a Liverool fan so conversation flowed faster than our boat did). I had some trouble steering, but the morning flew by and I returned, weary armed, to join Dorota for a walk across the Marahau sands. We paddled in the unbelievably warm water and watched the tractors gather the latest...

WORST ferry journey ever, set off at 8:30 supposed to only take 3 hours but took 5 due to the fact that there was a storm last night and the sea was so rough, the first hour was okay but then the boat was rocking forwards and backwards and side to side, everyone was being sick in those little white sick bags, i was okay for an hour or so then went to the toilet and was sick also! was back on dry land and so glad to be.... then we all went to a wine tasting and learnt how to taste wine properl...

Nach zwei Tagen Hauptsatdt ging`s fu** uns dann weit** in die Sonnenhauptstadt Neuseeland- Nelson. Bloed** weise musste es als wir dort ankamen g**ade wolkig sein und wir wollten dem vielen Sonnenschein, d** hi** sonst so angepriesen wird nicht so rechten Glauben schenken. Ab** egal...Dafu** hatten wir ein echt supa Hostel mit "Accent on the Park" gefunden. D** Besitz** ist ein allzeit lachend** und sehr froehlich** Geselle. Hat uns auch gleich als freundliche Deutsche **kannt ;-)! Das Hostel...

Leaving Wanaka we head further North up through the South Island. Our first stop on the way is at the Fox Glacier, we get there late in the afternoon and walk to the base of the Glacier in the drizzle but it still looks amazing. We walk back to the car before it gets any darker and make our way into town where we stay at a nice little backpackers and after dinner we crash in the movie room. The next morning we go for a quick walk round Lake Matheson and have a short time to enjoy Mt Cook refl...

So after TEN LONG HOURS on a coach i've made it to nelson which has the most sunshine anywhere in nz!! And it really is sunny! There's not cloud in the sky. Hows the weather in england?? Anyway, im staying at 'accents on the park' and it is the best place ever, the bedrooms are really nice and they have a cute little bar downstairs, so glad im staying for two nights :) Going into the town later where hopefully i'll be able to book a place on paragliding coz i didnt get round to doing that in ...