exploring estuaries

once we made it into the more covered bay, the conditions improved a
ton. waves were smaller, and we were a bit more protected from the
wind gusts. still pouring on and off, but our bodies stayed relatively
dry, and it wax just warm enough that we were not chilled at all.

we made if off the beach at a great time on the high tide, so were
able to spend the rest of the morning exploring the many estuaries
along the coast. only accessible on the high tides, and empty to mere
rivers on the low tides. beautiful, calm, and fun to kayak around the
areas!

gloomy start to day two...

we woke up to sunshine on the second morning, but received an updated
weather report that the wind had been upgraded to gusting up to 35
knots, starting as a tail wind, but turning in the afternoon to a
headwind. basically insane winds for kayaking. anything over 25 knots
would stop us from moving. and rain "heavy at times" was forcast for
the day.

our guide dawn rallied us to get going as soon as we could to get
around the most exposed section of coastline before things got crazy.
the second we finished breakfast, the clouds rolled in, wind and rain
started.

our group packed camp and the kayaks in record time, we bundled up in
raincoats, paddle jackets, and set off.

the waves were getting big, close together, and very irregular from
the wind. we powered through, keeping the boat as straight as
possible, while trying to edge around an exposed point 45 degree angle
to the waves. it was a little dicey for a bit, but heather was an
awesome captain! all the while in the pouring rain. quite an
adventure. after we got around the point, I was able to breath again.
wind at our backs was much better. we just had to time our paddling to
keep the boat from surfing.

beautiful dusk...

amazing sunsets haven't really been the norm here, but we have had
beautiful dusks. sun seems to set later behind the mountains, but the
views from our beach were quite nice. after an amazing dinner cooked
by our guide dawn (it was unusual, but I did nothing to help!), we
walked to the end of the beach, and waded into a cave filled with glow-
worms, yes, glow worms. awesome!

lazy on the beach late afternoon...

made it to set up camp late afternoon, and had a few minutes to lay in
the beach in the warm sun that graced us in the afternoon. poured a
glass of wine, and hit the beach with Harry potter. only 150 pages to
go. determined to finish it, and dump this book before the next leg of
the trip (only been reading it since last September. 2008, not 2009.
sheesh.)! bug were persistent, and many interruptions prevented much
potter progress, but the moment of sun was unexpected, and MUCH
appreciated. indeed.

loads of baby seals

we cruised around several of the coastal rock islands, and saw
wildlife including blue penguins floating in the water, and a bunch of
baby seals playing along the rocky shore. they had just gotten big
enough to be out and about, and were totally adorable! mom was also
nearby rolling around in the wAter, barking at them every now and
then... but the babies were definitely having fun playing to the
audience!

sunshine!

by mid afternoon, the rains and clouds passed, and the sun came out!
the water remained calm, and we were able to kayak close to the rocky
coastline, and explore all sorts of estuariesalong the way. the water
as seen in this pic is the most amazing torquoise blue!

a little water soaked...

...but loving being out and about! :)

making the most of the rain!

we finished packing our gear, and loaded the water taxi (speed boat
fit to carry us, all our gear and expedition kayaks on the back) just
in time fir the rain to start. 45 min (choppy) boat ride up the coast,
we arrived at our launch point to unload the water taxi and load our
kayaks in a downpour. our group of 6 folks really rallied, loaded the
boats in no time at all.. and kept a can-do attitude! luckily it was
wet, but not cold. stopes raining long enough for a quick lunch, then
we hit the water! poured rain on and off, but the water was fairly
calm, so we really enjoyed paddling. once in the boat, the rain was
not such a deal at all.

kayaking Abel tasmin day one....

after a really great dinner in nelson (much bigger town than expected,
more to explore after kayaking!) heather and u stayed up half the
night packing and repacking. 6:20am pick-up in Nelson to head out to
Abel tasmin. really messed up bus ride, and 2+ hours later, we
arrived. sorted into our group, we met our guide dawn, and she
promptly informed us the weather forcast for our trip was predicting
downpours if rain, and 20+ knot winds. not exactly the sunny beach
filled adventure we planned on. I ripped apart my gear (3 bikinis,
short sleeve rash guard, cotton shorts, cute sunny tank tops and
jeans)... and instantly felt like an asshole tourist completely not
prepared for 3 days of bad weather kayaking! soooo caught off guard!
sooo not like me. ha. sucked it up,borrowed thermal and non cotton
layers, and set off for the adventure.

coming into Nelson...

90 minute flight fron Auckland to Nelson. north island to south
island. excited fir the second part of the journey to begin!

arriving back in Auckland

jumped off the ferry in downtown auckland, and hopped right onto the
express bus to the airport. leaving the north island in a few, and
heading to Nelson (northern city on the south island). excited to
begin the second leg of the journey. we are being picked up first
thing in the morning for a 3 day, 2 night kayaking trip in the Abel
Tasmin park along the norther coast. I am super excited to spend days
on the water, and camp out in the sand! :)

leaving waiheke

caught an early afternoon ferry off the island. time for a little
sandwhich and glass of wine on the boat. not a bad view for lunch!

"downtown" oneroa

had a lovely breakfast at the "lazy lounge" with Anna and petia before
they had to go. wonderful to cross paths with wonderful people who
were generous enough to show us around a bit, and share their time
with us. good good people! thanks again ladies! :)

leaving the hostel & waiheke island

got ourselves packed up this am, and checked out of the hostel. great
little place to stay walking distance from the beach and town if you
ever head to waiheke island.

dragon pizza on the beach

a quick 5 minute walk down the road from our hostel, there is a little
wood fired pizza stand on the beach. super cool! and pretty good pizza
to boot. nice little dinner on the beach, then we spent the rest of
the evening chatting with the girls on the porch of the hostel.

little rest

our little nap lasted a bit longer than it possibly should have, n we
both woke up quite groggy. our friends petia & Anna had come over to
the island today as well, so we woke up and rallied to spend some time
with them.

sleepies take over

wine + beer + bread = afternoon nap

awesome food!!

we lingered for quite some time over our lunch... felt great, but the
wine, beer and bread made the sleepies kick in. we made it to one more
tasting room, then back to the hostel.

moving from wine to beer...

third stop was a vineyard called "Saratoga", actually named after the
town in ca (the family has roots there!). mid-afternoon by now, we
settled in for a delightful lunch, and the house brew beer.

mmmmmm.... wine.