16.1.2018: My first sunbath on the beach

Of all the Great Walks, the Abel Tasman Coast Track, which I completed four years ago, is my absolute favorite. It made such a positive impression on me that I decide to do another small day hike on it.

But this time, I only carry a small backpack and take the time to not miss any beach access or viewpoint. It's going to rain at noon, but I consciously decide not to rush, to enjoy the walk and soak in the beautiful scenery. And the first few kilometers are just an appetizer; the crème de la crème is yet to come in the next stages of the track.

After 4 km and dozens of photos, I reach Apple Tree Bay. The pebble beach may not compare to the golden sandy beaches along the Abel Tasman Coast Track, but it still invites you to linger. I spread out my towel and enjoy my first extended sunbath in New Zealand while wearing my bikini.

The only downside is the buzzing wasps and bumblebees that constantly want to explore me. Sometimes, two of the one-and-a-half times larger bumblebees compared to the local ones sit on me, and I have to be extremely careful not to move. At one point, I don't notice Hummulus Gigantus and accidentally put my hand on it, but I quickly pull it back.

I spend almost three hours at Apple Tree Beach. It's pleasantly warm, not too hot, so you don't start sweating. Just to be safe, I apply sunscreen a second time and am happy to see that the weather forecast was wrong. Around 3:00 PM, I start making my way back, feeling both relaxed and energized. The spectacular view has lost some of its grandeur as the tide goes out.

Originally, I wanted to take a stroll through Marahau, but considering the muscle soreness from the afternoon before yesterday and yesterday morning, I head straight back to my accommodation, where the next buses are just arriving.