+++++++++ Split Apple Rock +++++++ We took it easy on the holidays. We visited a beach a bit further west from Nelson, which is known for a particular rock.. (Toilets are conveniently available on every major hiking trail. Very friendly, New Zealand!) This is the beach: And this is its highlight: The rock that looks like a 'split apple' We thought the little dogs enjoying a day at the beach were even cooler ;) +++++++++ Abel Tasman National Park +++++++ The weather was glorious on December 26th - perfect because we were right at one of the most visited tourist destinations on the South Island, Abel Tasman National Park. This national park is famous for its numerous beautiful bays along a hiking trail. Along the way, there are huts where you can spend the night - if you book early enough. Early enough means about half a year in advance!! When we were there, all the huts were long booked, but there was the option to cover part of the trail by being dropped off by taxi boat at one of the bays and simply walking back to the car within a day: lWe were also brought to the water in such a taxi boat (the tractor is definitely needed when it's low tide because the water at the spot where the boats start goes far out) We saw the split apple from up close here :) Many tourists also explore Abel Tasman National Park by kayak in addition to the speed boats. Do you see anything here? Something with fur and fins? :) We really liked that you can always see mountains in the distance: We were dropped off at the bay at Anchorage. From here, we walked back to the parking lot at the southern end of the national park. And as you can see: The beaches here are truly Caribbean beautiful! We suddenly felt like we were in Bali again, just without the humid heat and the annoying jewelry vendors! :D The way back to the car was only 3-4 hours long, but on the way, we wanted to make stops at some of the beautiful bays... Our first bay, we thought, would be lonelier than the large beach at Anchorage, where we were dropped off by the boat. Well...Not really!!! As I said, the national park is very popular and right now it's high season. (Personal interpretation of local signs) A cute little bird came towards us on the way - it can't fly anymore, but it's not a kiwi, it's a 'weka': Next bay, next attempt: halfway to the car, we took an extensive break on the beach. There was a bit more space here, and the many tourists didn't stand out. We had a little fight with a feisty fern on the way back home.. Anette scared it away though. Self-service fruit, jam, and egg stand with an interesting philosophy: 'We thank our buyers for their honesty - SURVEILLANCE CAMERA INSTALLED! - (Due to a lack of honesty).' New Year's Eve was just another day for us. Private fireworks are not allowed in New Zealand, and we spent the evening in Westport on the West Coast, where not even the city started a fireworks display, as is customary in larger cities. Therefore, the many New Year's greetings we received from Germany were even more special to us! Thank you very much, and of course, we also wish you all a fantastic 2017 with lots of tea/coffee/cocoa, depending on your preference, and love/friendship/loneliness (depending on your preference) and above all, lots of luck and excellent health! Stay good, enjoy the snow or at least the tea, and see you soon :) HanNZette