Finally hiking!

Today we are heading out for a surprise that Kay has planned for me! I'm excited. What I know is that we are going towards Abel Tasman National Park. At first, I'm not particularly impressed with the landscape. The meadows are yellow and the fauna is nothing special. However, we soon start ascending a mountain slowly. My concentration is greatly enhanced and Kay feels sick from the many curves. Despite it all, we are enjoying the ride very much. Tall firs, green ferns, and a view of the blue sea. We follow a sign that says 'Cave Cafe' and end up at a small cafe/souvenir shop/cave entrance after a narrow, bumpy road. Surrounded by a hilly meadow with rocks rising everywhere. Beyond that, only the sea and the sky. Not to forget the herds of sheep.
We have coffee and skip the cave tour. Fortunately, the way down is much faster than the way up ;)
Soon, we reach our destination, Rawhiti Cave. To get there, we hike 2.2 Km through the bush, over a currently dry riverbed, and up the mountain over slippery rocks and narrow paths. Although we Swiss are used to quite a few hiking trails, this is a challenge that we master. Once we reach the top... something reveals itself to us that I have never seen before. I'll try to put it into words. A sunlit, gigantic cave entrance. Plants are growing everywhere and birds are flying among the hanging stalactites. But not ordinary stalactites! A combination of stone and plants form large, knotty, green shimmering stalactites! There is a path that leads into the dark interior. The ceiling is covered in stalactites and stalagmites grow from the ground, with moss and plants in between. Next to us, a man ignores the signs and starts to make his way down. It's unfortunate that there are people who put themselves in danger and may contribute to the closure of such places.
We make our way back down. Despite Kay always helping me down the high and slippery obstacles like a gentleman, I slip and luckily only land on my bottom and not off the path and a few meters below.
Back at our van, we cook ourselves noodle soup (it's already 3.00 pm!).
After another hour of driving, we arrive at the tip of the South Island (northwest) and stroll along a kilometer-long beach formed by shells.
Unfortunately, it starts raining and we retreat back to our van.