Had a pig

We're going to a farm! I'm freaking out! There are pigs, sheep, goats, a rooster and a farm cat. The owners are really sweet and every guest is greeted with a homemade muffin and a bag of pet food. The weather is very changeable and so we spend a rainy afternoon planning the South Island. We make an extensive visit to the animals (especially the pigs!!) where we pet and feed the cute ones. I'm in love with shock. However, we don't find the goat very likeable. Maren has a big scratch from her horns and she bites my sweater. We use the rainy day to finally plan the South Island. In the evening we pull ourselves together and go on a short hike to a nearby waterfall. In the dark, armed with headlamps, we go back along the path and see lots of glowworms, also known as fungus gnat larvae, in the rocks at the side of the path.

We booked a kayak tour for the next day. We got there way too early and passed the time playing mini golf and drinking coffee. The tracks here are incredibly lovingly and creatively designed. Unfortunately we don't have enough time to play through all the courses. I think that's a shame because I'm much better than Maren today. This is either due to the course conditions, which are very uneven and the holes are crooked, or due to my incredible minigolf skills. We then receive a detailed safety briefing and very detailed directions to the beach. However, we scurry around the car for so long that we end up driving right after the tour leader. On the beach, Maren and I play rock, paper, scissors, I win and get to choose where I sit. For reasons unknown to me, I choose the seat at the back. Kind of stupid, because I have to paddle and steer with the foot pedals. Everyone sits down and adjusts their seats. Maren uses the time and blindly practices what she has just learned. We fight our way through the waves better than expected and paddle into many beautiful bays. We even see a stingray there. Maren and I weren't doing too badly for our first kayak tour and NO, we didn't capsize. Two Hollendärs took over this, not accidentally, but planned. We ran out of energy on the way back and were more than happy when we reached the starting point of the tour again. We quickly pack everything up and head to Nelson. We just want to spend the night in a parking lot as a short stopover. There are officially MARKED 23 free camping spots here... 23. Makes me crazy. Maren tries to find an explanation and says maybe there is a tree or a garbage can in a parking lot. Then it turns out... NOT. They chose an odd number of places here for no apparent reason. I find it very difficult to deal with. What's wrong with people? They probably also set their music volume to an odd number. Crazy. Well, in any case, we're still walking through the deserted city, it's after 6 p.m. after all, so not much is happening here anymore. We also look at the church, which was really beautiful from the inside. Maren even donates the required $10 when she goes out.