Abel Tasman

From Karamea we had to drive back 100km on the same route, with many curves through more or less only bush landscape... However, our children are now quite accustomed to mountain roads and so there is only the occasional photo stop!!! From Westport we then drove the next 150km along rivers and this road was also more winding than expected. Suddenly we were surrounded by hop fields and lots of orchards! After a small pass, we came down to Marahau, the gateway to Abel Tasman National Park. We immediately jumped into our bathing suits and ran to the beach. It was low tide, so we had to walk about 1km before we even found water!!! But it was nice and warm and we enjoyed it. Our accommodation has everything our hearts desire. We are already looking forward to the next few days! On Saturday we got up early and went on a kayaking tour. What an experience. Matti and Alex struggled at first with the coordination and steering, but they soon got the hang of it and we paddled along bays, through a cave, and around Split Apple Rock. In the bay, we had coffee and hot chocolate. The guide entertained our children with a ball and so we paddled happily back to Marahau. This time we didn't want to walk so far to the sea, so we immediately rushed to the beach. However, the water was noticeably cooler and so we only had a short swim. But after a refreshing ice cream, we returned to building sandcastles and collecting shells... On Sunday, the weather wasn't beautiful for once, so we drove to the northernmost point of the South Island - Farewell Bay - and walked through beautiful dunes to a rugged beach! Every time we stopped, the weather was sunny and beautiful. Abel Tasman is truly stunning and a perfect vacation spot!