"I'm pretty sure yute is a word."
I was getting a little disillusioned with New Zealand after the West Coast. But Abel Tasman really gave me a slap across the face.
We stayed in Motueka, at the base of Abel Tasman National Park, while we figured out what we were doing. This place is great. The hostel we camped at, The Laughing Kiwi, was possibly the best hostel I've stayed at in New Zealand. This is despite the fact that the Kiwi running it was never seen laughing. He was hungover during our entire stay and actually looked pretty miserable.
The town itself was just one street but had everything I could think of. And there were a few 2nd hand stores which seriously sold some of the most amazing junk I can imagine. One even sold those reels of braille like paper which you feed in to self-playing pianos. Now that's class.
We decided to get a water taxi in to the heart of Abel Tasman, spend a day kayaking south, and then the next day walking south. This park is just so good, I can't rave on about it enough. The beaches are all fantastic. The kayaking was great. We saw loads of seals. The walk was cool. Some fantastic views. They've hit the perfect balance with the facilities. The DoC boys have really nailed it with this one.
Instead of camping, we decided to splash out on the only hostel on this part of the track. It's a boat, and although it seemed expensive at first, it made sense to spend the extra money so we didn't have to carry any camping stuff or any food (since they provide you with 3 meals).
We had booked dorm beds but were upgraded to a double room. Eating, drinking and sleeping on a boat...paradise. Amazing views around us and a great atmosphere. Everyone was so friendly, including the two hosts: a cool hippy-ish girl and a girl who had eyes that made you feel like you've just been keel-hauled.
Being in a relationship you do seem to end up talking to other people in relationships. You just find each other. Maybe it's empathy.
In the past I've found couples unapproachable. Maybe boring is more of an appropriate word. Couple's are boring. But while us couples sat on one side of the boat, and the single people were drawn to the other side, I didn't think it was so bad. Not all couples are boring. Some are pretty cool.
I genuinely didn't want to leave the next day, but we had our walk ahead of us. And it was a great feeling to reach our car at the entrance. Great park, Abel. If this was China or Russia they'd preserve the fucker so we could all thank him personally.
We continued our drive up north around Abel Tasman and visited Farewell Spit. Even more fantastic 'eco-friendly' hostels up this way. Some real nice people staying in these places.
Farewell Spit was grand, but a beach just to the west of it was far more impressive. A beautiful beach with loads of seals just sunbathing on the sand. We got up pretty close, but after one suddenly looked at us strangely we kept our distance. I don't know how fast these guys can run, or what they'd do to you. I don't want to know.
The slippery slope of a relationship has also found Sophie and I playing alot of Scrabble. It really is an awesome game. Alex Of The Bush introduced me to its wonder in Australia. He knew all the 2 letter words, which was impressive. Sophie and I are learning them, and lots of other tidy little tricks which is making us both pretty damn good. Despite the impression this travlogue gives off, my word power is actually pretty unbad.
We've played a few people and absolutely kicked their asses. We obliterated an American father and son which was highly satisfying. Maybe not so suprising as those guys spell a bit funny anyway. 'Color'? 'Organize'?
No, 'WMD', isn't a word. Check the dictionary. Look for it all you want, it's not there.
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