Sunshine On My Shoulder Makes Me Happy

Trip Start Aug 23, 2007
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Trip End Jul 17, 2008


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Flag of New Zealand  ,
Sunday, October 28, 2007

  We arrived at the gateway to Abel Tasman National Park with a certain level of pessimism as we were staying in a place called Old MacDonald's Farm.  We were told that it rains all the time on the west coast of New Zealand, but were pleased to discover that the farm was surrounded with white capped mountains and rolling hills and that a bar-b and bonfire awaited us. 
  What a spectacular place.  Wild as wild can be.  I signed up for a full day sailing around the coast of Abel Tasman on a catamaran.  My ankle was pleased.  What a day we had.  Not a cloud in the sky.  Despite the temperature being a bit low for swim suits, the sun was hot and when we sailed into a lagoon and beach area called Anchorage Bay we were sheltered from the ocean's wind.  We ate lunch and lay back and within minutes the entire group was sound asleep.  Sometimes I wake up in the morning and am surprised when I look at my arm for a moment before I realize it's mine.  It's seems impossibly brown.  Gorgeous day!! 
  New Zealand is not a big country.  To illustrate that point, you'll smile to find out that I had run into that couple from Kaikoura on a hiking trail in Picton, but then found they were on my boat in Abel Tasman.  We had a great time and exchanged email and hoped to see each other again.  Travelling is funny that way.  You share a glass of wine with people you get along well with and then when you see them again, you're like old friends.  Ha!
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