Getting back on the road

Craig:

The time has come to move on.  It is with moderately heavy hearts that we leave Nelson behind us.  Bridget has had the opportunity to work with some great people and learn a lot about being a chef at the same time.  We have both made some great friends here and have met people from all over the world.  Due to our living situation, not a day went by when we did not hear a new language being spoken, or meet a new person from some far off country. 

Our last week here in Nelson has been very busy with internet bookings, teaching people how to do the jobs we were doing, and packing for our upcoming travels.  We did manage to fit quite a bit of fun and relaxation into the week as well.  Bridget had two days off so we once again were able to borrow a car and head north to Golden Bay.  We had read about and seen pictures of a beautiful beach called Wharariki Beach.  We had to skip over some of the better known areas of Golden Bay to get to Wharariki but it was definitely worth it. 

As with most walking tracks in New Zealand, crossing sheep paddocks is usually a must.  Bridget and I have taken quite a liking to the Kiwi way of maneuvering over sheep fences.  They just build steep stairs over the fence.  It is quick and easy, much like a cattle guard found in the American West.   

 The twenty minute walk out to the beach was great.  We started out in sheep pasture and slowly made our way over and through the coastal mountains.  We began to walk in sand dunes the closer we came to the beach and were greeted with a great view when we crested the last dune.

 Wharariki Beach is a massive, windblown, sand beach.  It is surrounded by rock cliffs which lead to some pretty dramatic scenery.  We have seen countless examples in New Zealand of how powerful the ocean can be.  The waves here are large and rough.  Many sea caves and caverns have formed in the coastal rock due to years and years of pounding waves. 

 The highlight of the trip was watching six baby fur seals play with each other in a tidal pool.  We were just steps away from them while their concerned mother looked on from her rocky perch above. 

We elected not to stay for sunset and get back on the road.  It was a great little trip to sum up our time here in Nelson.  We finished out the week on Friday night with a rather rowdy “Bridget going away party” with many of Bridget’s friends from work.  It turned out to be a pretty late night so Saturday was spent resting up and making some final departure preparations.  We get back on the road on Monday morning with heaps to look forward to.  The North Island eagerly awaits our arrival, but first… a little wine tasting is in order.

Next Stop:  Marlborough Wine Country