Strikingly Familiar

The first thing I realised upon arrival in Nelson is that the notion of a typical town in New Zealand applies here as much as in any other country, and in this case suprisingly, it is very similar to that of America. Comparisons can easily be made to Lincoln and Boulder and - closer to home - Rotorua, what with the gridded streets, low-rise wooden buildings and small-town feel. It was something of a surprise then when I couldn't bring myself to like it.

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Officially, Nelson is a 'city' by special permission of Queen Victoria, however make no mistake that this is a town in everything but name - a town devoid of atmosphere and with little to capture the imagination despite the unbridled enthusiasm offered by the local bus drivers.

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Staying in a hostel where everyone whispers instead of talks, where the TV is sealed off in a soundproof vault and the common room is shrouded in silence, it only made me more eager to get to Abel Tasman National Park 2 hours along the coast.

After shelling out $32 for the return fare I proceeded to get on the bus at 6:30 in the morning in the hands of my faithful bus driver, Tommy Lee Jones. Well, TLJ with hair from 'Under Siege' and sporting a Kiwi accent, but a dead ringer all the same. I was the only passenger until we got to Richmond where we picked up a God-loving fanatical young girl who proceeded to tell me and Tommy all about walking with God and loving him and accepting him into your life. Needless to say it was an entertaining journey.

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Many people who come to the park get a water taxi out to Anchorage and then walk along the coastal track back to Marahau. I didn't have enough money so I decided to walk there and back. "Piece of cake" I thought.

Seven hours later - a shadow of my former self - I practically crawl along the bridges towards the cafe, desparate for a ginger beer and a slice of apple pie. My feet ache, my legs ache, my brain aches, my bum aches, but I feel really good. People who say walking is therapeutic aren't lying, but they fail to mention the intense near death experience that occurs near the end of a full-day expedition.

I had a great day, and I picked up some great photos along the way. I'll upload these as soon as I can.

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