Motueka

Trip Start Jun 15, 2007

156

Trip End Ongoing

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Where I stayed

The Laughing Kiwi

(Motueka hotels)

Flag of New Zealand Motueka, South Island, New Zealand
Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Serious walking was done today! We went to Farewell Spit which is the most northern point on the south island and went for a walk along the spit. We were looking out for the sign to tell us not to go any further but some clever soul has decided to write the danger sign in green and place it in tbhe middle of a group of bushes which surprisingly are also green. It doesn't take much to guess that we missed it and went straight past it! By a long way! We walked almost to the end of the spit before we questioned the safety and turned back. We decided to walk part of the way back along the sand dunes which is not the easiest of things to do! Especially with the heat today and the tough wind which blew the sand in our faces all the way! Nice red sand burnt faces! While we were walking we came across several skeletons of animals, including a beached whale. That was interesting to see and we learnt that the Mauri's cut off the jaw and bury it as a sign of respect for the dead whale. They had not yet got to this whale though so we were able to see the full jaw too.
We also went down to the seal colony today after we had walked our massive walk! There were 3 baby seals playing in a little pool of water on the beach. We went and stood on a little sand dune in the middle and the seals came right up to us to play. They were amazing and so playful. We really enjoyed watching them! On the trek back to the car park we came across some cows blocking our path so Ed had to push them along in front of us so we could pass. They walked a bit of the track with us!
Overall today we have walked about 18 miles. We are very tired and very sore. Sunburnt also which is no surprise since this is the guy who gets second degree burns in Cyprus! But all is ok as the hostel has a hot spa which is free to use so we were able to sit and chill for ages. Hostels over here (BBH ones) are wicked. Highly recommend them too! We have met some cool people in them!

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On route to Farewell Spit.	Model of Pilot Whale Skeleton.	Tide in round Farewell spit.	Full of energy and ready for a walk.
Few obsticules along the way....	... and hippy Americans, haha.	.. but they were great and took our photo.	Ali, they do have western toilets in NZ.
Ali's new beach buggy.	Think i'll leave Ali to finish off the rest!!	..and i'll just hang around here.	Ali got her wheelchair stuck the the sand.
Black swans taking flight.	Poor Pilot whale washed up on beach.	Fast crab passing by.	The sign we didn't see on the way.
Bit of a sand storm.	Keep going Ali, we'll be there soon.	Long way back and hard work on sand.	At least the sun was shining.
Little tired there are we.	Spit disappearing into ditance with water.	Ali keeping up a smiley face.	Ed keeping up a red face.
Our obstruction	What an end to our days walk.	Doesn't look real.	Tired Ali on our way back.
Sunset over our gorilla rock.	yes mate, we have to go now, sorry.	Came right up to our feet after this shot.	Hello buddy, they are soo friendly
Sunset over a gorilla looking rock, see it?	tides coming in, better run...	bye bye to our new friends.	calm sun setting.
Cool rock formations.	Sand started to gust up.	Wrapped up and watching sunset	only mark left of our little visit.