Kay-aaaarrrggghhh-king

Trip Start Mar 14, 2006
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Trip End Mar 15, 2007


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Flag of New Zealand  ,
Monday, January 1, 2007

Happy Year New Year!

Can't believe were up at 5am, not even new year back home for another 8 hours. The reason for such an abnormal rising of the dead was not to see the first sunrise of the new year or anything fluffy like that, though by chance we did, it was to get the early bus to Abel Tasman National Park to go paddling around in a kayak - right now I think I would have preferred the sunrise.

First though we had to return the hire car to the company base here situated at the airport getting a taxi from there back into the city centre with it probably being cheaper just to hire another car to drive in with.

The hour or so shuttle bus took us to Motueka where we had a quick 'how to not drown in a kayak' brief before heading down to the beach for a little water training and then off by ourselves, in a less than straight line to begin with Anchorage Bay
Anchorage Bay
 . The ocean kayak was a rather flash two man job complete with cubbie holes and a rudder to aid in keeping the thing in a straight line.
Paddling along the Abel Tasman coast, the early start was paying off with a great way to start the new year, if a little wetter than I probably imagined my new year to be, with numerous little beach's dotted along the coast stopping at one that took our fancy for lunch.

After refueling we headed straight out again to one of the islands coming across more seals lazing on the rocks with one dude deciding to slink into the water and give us a race. They can really move.

Coming around the up to now sheltered southern coast we turned to head north up the coast facing straight into a strong headwind for the next mile. With aching arms we pressed on being pushed back if we ever stopped for a rest fighting against the wind and waves the whole time certainly give the cubbie holes water tightness a workout along with what felt like every upper body muscle.

Finally reaching the headland and turning towards Anchorage Bay where we would be camping for the night with our arms screaming at us we just had a gentle paddle into shore before waiting for the water taxi to come collect the kayak and bring the rest of our gear with them.

Setting up the tent and going for a short walk to the lookout above the headland we rounded we were soon joining others around their campfire with Saar being the only person I've ever known who can fall asleep while reading yet still be holding the book directly out in front of him. Which is even more impressive when he fell asleep lying on his back.
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