Lochmara Lodge

Today we took a 15min boat ride to the lodge where you can chill out and sit in Hammocks and enjoy quiet time in a peaceful bay.

Mark enjoying a good Beer

The Lodge

Me and Liz in a hammock

The Wharf

Today we went down to the wharf again after doing some housework for our hosts.

While we were there we spotted these clouds

Maybe a Sting Ray

A dragon

Then on the way back we spotted a real Sting Ray swimming under the bridge we were crossing

This is the first time we have seen one its real environment cool eh!!

Lazy Day In Picton

Today we chilled out at the Wharf and had a picnic there and also a beer and coffee.

We also went to the little cinema which is inside the local aquarium and watched Slum dog millionaire.

The Echo Cafe ship

Mark cooking on the BBQ

Mark Birthday

Today was my birthday.Liz had treated to me a guided boat adventure on the Mahau Sounds.

It was a self drive boat with a little 10hp engine the same we had on our  old boat but the power was pretty good because the shell was so light

We went to so many different sounds it was fantastic we were the only ones on the trip and also the only people in the sounds most of the time.

We had lunch here all on our own VERY NICE!!

we also did a little walk where Leicester would meet us at the other end with our boats and we would set of again

Leicester above meeting us with our boat!

After the adventure we went out for tea and had Mussels,T-bone steak and apple pie and a beer and coffee

Pretty good day wish all birthdays were this GOOD

Ship Cove Queen Charlotte Track

Today we did a day walk on the Queen Charlotte track starting at ships cove where captain cook parked his boat when he discovered NZ.We then walked to Furneaux Lodge where our boat picked us up to take us back to Picton.

Monument to Cpt Cook and some mussels

The Lodge

On The way we came across a large colony of dolphins which was cool

Our New Hosts

Well yesterday we met up with dave and bronny and moved into our new hosts house which as great veiws over picton and we got the bottom of the house with ensuite.We had a good old Kiwi bbq with them and they are very nice and even took us to the farmers market in Blenhiem.

Today we have booked a trip to the Queen Charlotte track.

Queen Charlotte View Point

Today we did the above walk. We must of walked for about 3-4hrs there and back we were pretty tired so we had a dunk in the hot tub at the backpackers!! Just waiting for our choc pudding at 8pm :-)

 

Tomorrow we are going to Woof with a couple just up the hill

Left Takaka now in Picton

Well after a dreadful twisty road journey to Picton.

When we were trying to check out of the hostel in Takaka we were attacked by at least 30 wasps as soon as we had the light on they swarmed into our room!!!!

Farewell Spit

Today we got a lift from Naomi who works at the hostel and an English and French guy. The French guy drove and we used the owners car.

They did a 3 hr horse trek while we walked round the beach and ate at the cafe.

Arriving Takaka and PuPu Springs

We arrived in Takaka in Golden Bay yesterday evening. It is a very nice little township with everything you need ie bank, cinema, supermarket etc.. Not so easy to get to places if you do not drive.

We walked to Pupu Springs and it took us one and a half hours 7km! They are the largest springs in Australasia and second clearest in the world

On the way back we got a lift from an Australian couple and a member of DOC.

Leaving Nelson

Today we are leaving nelson.We have checked out just surfing the web waiting for our lift at 2:30 to take us to the i-Site so we can catch our bus

In the end we have enjoyed Nelson and would come back here

This is the centre on New Zealand

Lotr Scenic Heli-Flight

Today we went on a Helicopter to some LOTR locations and also over the Abel Tasman and Takaka Hill and harwood hole.

After such a great day we went for an Indian and then we also walked to the centre of New Zealand!!!!

This is where they hide from the birds and practice sword fighting

hiding like the hobbits!!!

Abel Tasman from the air (much better from here)

Today was a FANTASTIC DAY and tomorrow we move on to Takaka.

Bone Carving

Today we went to a Bone Carving Studio In town and made our own unique piece.

Step 1

Drawing

Marks choice and bad drawing!!!

Step 2

Bone

Step 3

This is after drawing on the bone then using saw to cut out basic shape

Step 4

View Full Album

After much sanding and then polishing with wax we have the final product!!

Nelson Update

Tomorrow we are going do some Bone Carving.Today we just chilled out after all that walking yesterday!!

Liz as booked us on a Helicopter trip for Saturday.We have booked our next destinations as well.

We are leaving on Monday then we go to Takaka then to Picton.

Not sure where to go then we are trying to see if we get some helpx work on a farm or working with animals

Abel Tasman National Park

Today we walked the Abel Tasman.We took a water taxi to a bay then walked out it took us 4hrs stopping on the way at the many beaches

We had to take out boots and socks off to get ashore

Nelson City

We went around the city and also visited the Cathedral and booked a 4hr walk and water taxi to the Abel Tasman national Park for tomorrow.

Above is where they made the ONE ring!!

Arrived Nelson

Well today after 4hrs we arrived at the Bug Backpackers.Not too used to a city must say its quite a SHOCK to us.

Leaving Punakaiki today

We are just waiting for our bus and we will be in Nelson at 7pm.We went to the blowholes again last night and also this morning

was a nice sunset last night

blowholes

We went to pancake rocks for the 5th time this morning and at last saw the water shoot out of the blowholes!! Amazing:-)

Truman Walk

Today as been another nice day.We walked 30 mins up the road to a track which took us to a nice beach with a little waterfall falling onto it

Was good watching the bigger waves hit the rocks

Arrived Punikaiki

Well Dave and Miriam are a great and friendly couple who heard about our problems and kindly picked us up at the holiday park and took us on a 4hr drive to Punikaiki.We are both staying at the same hostel which is cool they have even offered us to stay at there house in St ives Cornwall if we are ever down there!!!

We are staying in the beach hostel we are going to pancake rocks tonight

 

Dave,Mark,Liz,Miriam

Decided to leave

We have decided to leave our post of general assistants due to the differences with the other 2.

We have enjoyed the past 3 months running the hostel but have had enough with dealing with unpleasant staff and decided to go back to travelling we have now over $10k in the bank so should be fine for the rest of the trip.

maybe it was time to move on anyway we are here to travel!!!!