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Sojourn in New ZealandSojourn in New Zealand
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Just a 2 week holiday…we meet Carole and John Petrich and walk the Abel Tasman walk on the north coast of the South Island, then spend a few days with Rae and Jim Henderson, old neighbours from Kiparra Street. Read more
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  • TravelerSojourn in New Zealand
    Day 15

    Back in Manly

    October 20, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

    Just writing today so that the blog will locate us back in Oz! A good flight - we left early and arrived early amazingly…got through the passport rigmarole and to the train in 20 minutes ….no photos, good to be home after a wonderful trip!Read more

  • TravelerSojourn in New Zealand
    2
    Day 14

    A perfect day in Queenstown

    October 19, 2023 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C

    It was really cold this morning…about 3° and felt it! So we put on many layers and went for breakfast - just coffee and croissants and had mandies in the room. Saving appetite for special dinner tonight!

    Headed out for another lakeside walk, in the other direction from yesterday afternoon. We found there was an official path, not a bush track, and it would go on for many kms. It was just so beautiful with the sun filtering through the trees with their new spring greenery mixing in with the native evergreens, and all surrounded by the jagged mountains still with their dusting of snow. Not to mention the cherry blossoms, looking gorgeous and with excited Japanese tourists posing under them taking photos!

    We walked for about 10 kms (there and back) and went to a noodle bar that Amr had found for some sustenance. After returning to our room, we set off again and went to the beautiful Queenstown Gardens where we found a bench to sit and read…so peaceful - a rotunda, tulips, more cherry blossoms…gorgeous! Back to the room to catch up some wifi (me) and to get ready for our special dinner at a lovely restaurant - Cathy’s 70th birthday present to Amr!

    We had found where it was, tucked up a little alley…such a lovely vibe - fine dining, but casual, calm, comfortable and delicious food! I didn’t have fancy dining clothes, but found that almost everyone also was wearing sneakers! This is a town full of active people doing all the offered activities! When walking peacefully around the lake there were people paragliding, parasailing, jet boating etc…Amr again was the man in purple and was complimented several times on his attire!!

    So we had this wonderful meal at Rata…really great food and wine, and are now tucked back in our cosy room ready for our departure tomorrow. Easy bus back to the airport, flight at 2.25pm so no rush in the morning. And forecast is for good weather so flights should not be delayed…!    Read more

  • TravelerSojourn in New Zealand
    1112
    Day 13

    Back in Queenstown

    October 18, 2023 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 9 °C

    Today was a bit of a travel day. We persuaded Rae and Jim that we would get the train and bus back to the airport, having found that there is a train station in Waikanae straight to Wellington, and a connecting bus on to the airport…it’s a long drive to the airport and so easy by PT…we did have a bit of a flurry at the station when we discovered that they no longer sell tickets there, you use an opal equivalent card or buy a ticket on the train, but they will only take cash…we have been tapping everywhere happily and didn’t have NZ cash, but Jim came to the rescue and we swapped for Oz dollars which Rae can use when visiting her sister!

    So we said fond farewells - R and J have been perfect hosts, and we have tried to be perfect guests and it has been a fun and comfortable few days. But it is also very relaxing to now just do our own thing! Our flight back to Queenstown left on time (2pm) and no dramas…it is today a beautiful day, the rain and wind have subsided which is good for flying in and out of both Wellington and Queenstown, which both have tricky airports. It was amazing seeing the snow dusted mountains so close to us as we descended into Q…not a lot of margin for error!

    So we made our way back to our little hotel and were again very happy…I think we have the best room - on the top (4th) floor, with an expansive view over the lake and mountains…perfect. After dropping our bags, we set off for a walk…I really needed some exercise, after a sluggish day yesterday, so we set off along the lake..in just under 2 weeks I think the leaves have grown since their spring green beginnings, so pretty…Today we went further than last time, and found there was a path that turned into a bush track, and didn’t stay at water level but rose way up above the lake giving fantastic views…quite energetic, but it was like being back on the Abel Tasman, and I think our legs were very happy and I was also happy to find it was no effort! And the circles on my Apple Watch were satisfied (which they weren’t yesterday!).

    I also have to mention that again Amr was complimented on his purple outfit! He often gets compliments at home and everywhere with his colourful clothes….but was particularly happy today when a woman said he was the most elegantly dressed person! His purple pants and purple jumper have been his only non walking outfit for this holiday so they have served him well!

    By the time we returned we just had time for a glass of beautiful Central Otago Pinot noir before we went for dinner at Madam Woo where we had booked on the way past earlier…delicious Malaysian food. Now back, washed and settled in our little nest!    Read more

  • TravelerSojourn in New Zealand
    Day 12

    Rather lazy lovely day

    October 17, 2023 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌧 11 °C

    It rained a lot in the night and this morning was wet and grey. Amr of course, undaunted, went for a walk…I slept in a little, and we in general had a leisurely start. Just comfortable to relax and chat with Rae and Jim, catch up with emails, wordle etc! Went out to another beachside cafe for coffee, and Amr and Jim ended up having a seafood chowder which did look and taste delicious…! Anyway, it was that sort of very comfortable day…Rae called Margy and we had a lovely 3 way conversation for about an hour…so good…and then we visited Scott who lives in the next town (suburb?) and saw him, his 2 gorgeous children (12 and 15) …Liz was out at a class…lovely catching up with Scott who has just turned 50!!! So long since we saw him…decades ago. Then Rae and I had a short but brisk walk to have had at least a little exercise (not enough for my Apple Watch..don’t think it was satisfied!)..before we went out to dinner, at the very nice place where we had lunch yesterday…home and happy!Read more

  • TravelerSojourn in New Zealand
    Day 11

    Lovely day in Waikanae

    October 16, 2023 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 11 °C

    This is going to be brief as it is 11pm and just realised I haven’t written today as I was going to sleep…! We have had a great day with Rae and Jim…Jim was up early watching the rugby World Cup, joined by Amr and Rae…I joined at leisure, sleeping in a bit longer! After being disappointed that France was beaten, we had breakfast and headed off for a walk through the streets and along the beach…just lovely, ending up at a cafe and discovering that it was already lunchtime had a bit to eat as well as coffee.

    Relaxed for a bit - we walked almost 10kms - joined by chance by Scott’s father in law who dropped in and had an animated chat and rant about the world, then went to a movie at their local cinema which shows good movies and we’d heard often about it…great movie The Tasting (La Dégustation) about wine but very people-y in a French way, right up our alley!

    Back for delicious dinner and chat ..many years of catching up..lots of fun and relaxed! Off to sleep.    Read more

  • TravelerSojourn in New Zealand
    Day 10

    Travel day - to Wellington

    October 15, 2023 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌬 11 °C

    A lack of exercise day as first we had a 2 and a bit hour bus trip from Nelson to Picton, arriving just after noon, then at 2.15 we left in the huge ferry for the 3.5 hour trip to Wellington. All easy and smooth. Grey and cold when we left Nelson, which turned windy and rainy on and off, and very cold, very windy and squally rain at Picton! The bus ride was through rolling hills, a very winding road and at the end through many vineyards in the Marlborough area. Pretty countryside.

    Had time for a little bite to eat at Picton - found a tapas bar, just right, then made our way to board. Such a huge ferry, even though the sea looked extremely choppy it just sailed on through without any noticeable rock and roll! So very pleasant and comfortable - we didn’t go outside on deck - I don’t think they were allowing people to anyway because of the weather conditions, so we sat in the comfortable seats with wifi happy as clams.

    Rae and Jim were there to meet us which was wonderful…they live in Waikanae which is about 45 mins drive north of the city, in a more sheltered climate and near the beach. It was about 7 when we got there so we chatted and had dinner and will see round tomorrow. Off to bed, just a quick account of the day.    Read more

  • TravelerSojourn in New Zealand
    111
    Day 9

    Back to Nelson

    October 14, 2023 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌙 13 °C

    A dramatically different day! We woke up to see it was raining, our perfect weather had ended. It rained hard during breakfast, so glad we weren’t setting out to walk! We all packed up and were ready to get the water taxi at 10.30. Our bags were to be taken for us, and we set off for the taxi point soon after 10, and as we walked there - 5 mins walk - we realised there was an enormous gale - the Lodge was in a sheltered spot, protected by trees, and we walked into the real world! Arriving at the ramp down to the beach, there were waves breaking and rolling in, I had to grip my phone really firmly to take a photo so as not to drop it…we wondered how on earth we would board the water taxi. The guy bringing our bags in a little golf cart thing came, took one look and drove away…we waited in the gale and our boat appeared and signalled for us to go to the other end of the beach and round a corner where it was more sheltered! So we hot-tailed it along the soft sand, against the wind - our exercise for the day!! Took ages as was quite a long way and finally and thankfully embarked (and our bags also were driven along another path) and we were on our way back to Marahau.

    But that wasn’t the end of it! The journey was like a lunar park ride…we bounced and bumped up and down the waves, picked up other people and dropped off bags etc…it wasn’t actually scary as the boats are very tough and the skippers are used to this weather which typically happens…but for us it was such a contrast to the perfect tranquil waters we had seen yesterday as we walked and Carole and John kayaked. So quite an adventure!

    Arrived at Marahau a little after midday, and Sarah who has shuttled us round before was there waiting to take us back to Nelson. First C and J were dropped off at the airport - fond farewell, we so enjoy our encounters in so many parts of the world - and then Amr and I were dropped back at the hotel in Nelson where we stayed before.

    Just back from a lovely dinner at Urban Oyster Bar, a place that C and J had recommended. Just right light yum dishes (not just oysters!)…very satisfied and tomorrow we take a bus to Picton where we get the ferry to Wellington. They say the gale will be stronger tomorrow! But the huge inter island ferries will not be worried. With the total change in weather the temperature of course has dropped, and today we wore fleece jackets and a scarf tonight. I love the cool, and it always is cold at night, but now it’s day too! Not many photos - tried for the wild seas, but couldn’t take any during the boat journey, too busy holding on! Some of dinner!    Read more

  • TravelerSojourn in New Zealand
    1
    Day 8

    Last really beautiful walking day

    October 13, 2023 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌬 15 °C

    Today was our last day of walking, and now we have completed all the segments of the Abel Tasman track. And I think today was maybe the most enjoyable - the walking was a little easier (only one huge up and down!), we had a new experience - walking across an estuary at low tide - and knowing it was the last walk we were up for anything! The scenery was of course spectacular and the good weather continued. We are so lucky, as next week they are preparing for a change and wind and rain!

    Had a relaxing start, as we were booked for the 10.30 water taxi, to work in with the tides. Carole and John were not walking today. They had a wonderful time kayaking round the bays in these pristine waters. We have such a comfortable arrangement with them, and we all enjoy doing our own thing, and meeting up after and hearing all about it.

    So we were taken again to Taratanui but this time we walked south back to Awaroa where we are here in the Awaroa Lodge. Our instructions which sounded always so complicated when we first read them all make sense when we are actually doing them. We walked south, over one first high headland to a lovely deserted beach, found the orange marker bolted to a rock, clambered up rocks to a boardwalk and went up and down to a second perfect beach where we sat on a log, relaxed, ate a bit of lunch. It was so beautiful that Amr went into the water - just a quick bracing dip, bare from the waist down as he didn’t want wet underpants, but it is so lovely to be so uncrowded! We are just before the high season when there are so many people - at Taratanui apparently they can accommodate 1000 campers!! We rarely meet people on the track, and it is very peaceful!

    We were in no hurry as low tide today was 4pm, and you can cross the estuary 2 hours either side of that, but the closer to 4 the better - shallower water to wade through. We followed the track to the point where you cross and saw the marker on the other side - about a kilometre across. It was just after 2, but we saw some people venturing across. When they arrived at our side they said it was about waist deep but they needed to be quick to catch a ferry! So we waited, and others arrived and waited, relaxing and reading in a very pleasant shady area. At about 3 o’clock more people crossed and it looked much easier so we took off shoes and socks, I put on my tevas which I had brought for this occasion, and we set off. A fun new experience for us. Part of the way was wet but completely drained, others had little streams flowing through but by now not deep..I think the deepest we got was mid calf. Was glad of the sandals though as there were shells which would have been uncomfortable, though quite a few people had bare feet. Anyway, we made it, washed off our feet at the hut and made our way round the other side of the estuary to our beach and back to the lodge. A great day!

    Sort of repacked as tomorrow we get the water taxi and car shuttle back to Nelson, say farewell to C and J, who go direct to the airport, and spend a night in Nelson before getting the ferry to Wellington and meeting Rae and Jim on Sunday! After the rocky start, all is going smoothly, and it doesn’t matter if it is rainy and unpleasant weather in Wellington as we will be with friends, not out walking!    Read more

  • TravelerSojourn in New Zealand
    11
    Day 7

    Hard walking, beautiful vistas

    October 12, 2023 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌙 14 °C

    We are now resigned to the fact that this track is a demanding bush walk! And we worked very hard today, climbing up headlands and down again and continuing…the saving grace of course is the amazing and stunning scenery, and the perfect weather. Today our water taxi ride took us to Torrent Bay, near where we walked from going south on the first day back to our lodging, but today we headed north and walked to our new lodging, the Awaroa Lodge. This is another very nice accommodation set in the wilderness…we have wifi, but no phone reception.

    My watch says that I walked 21 kms, which includes walking down to the water taxi etc, but the actual walk was quite long…(officially about 14 kms or so I think). Carole and John got another water taxi that took them to a beach a shortish distance from our new home, and waited and relaxed there till we turned up! A good arrangement, but we had crossed wires about the beach as they had mentioned Tonga beach, which when we got there was a delightful tiny place but deserted…we were happy to wait for a while in case they appeared as we had been working hard …got there about 2.40 and waited till 3, then set off again, climbed another huge ascent, and down to the next beach which was bigger, with campsites etc, and people here and there…and of course that was where C and J were waiting…that was the water taxi stop, not the other tiny one which made sense…anyway, all was well and we set off together for the final leg to our lodging!

    And fortunately this last hill and descent was the kindest of the day, so no problem for C and J, and we walked to our new home, where we stay for 2 nights. All meals included here, and we are just back from lovely dinner, and have eyed out what we may have tomorrow! The walk tomorrow is from a stop further north back to here, not all that far, and with many optional extra side walks…at the moment I think we will just do the basic part and relax!!

    Will put up some of the pictures from today…they are repetitive of crystal clear turquoise water through trees and pristine beaches! But just amazing when you are walking through it and encounter these treats…    Read more

  • TravelerSojourn in New Zealand
    11
    Day 6

    Doing what we love doing!

    October 11, 2023 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 10 °C

    Another beautiful day….cool - 3° - in the morning, but warming up but never hot and sweaty, even climbing uphill. Perfect walking weather. So we set off at 8.15 to have coffee where we had dinner last night, as the coffee at the lodge not good…and the cafe right beside the water taxi place…had the best coffee so far in NZ, and will have it there tomorrow morning too.

    The water taxi took us way up north to Totaranui, about an hour or more, dropping various people off etc, and we were headed for Wainui Bay, the last northern segment of the Abel Tasman track. Carole and John had decided that they would just do a short distance and turn back and get the water taxi back in the afternoon on its next run…I think John has finally admitted that he can’t walk easily thank goodness, and they had a good day, and have plans to modify the next 2 walking days. Perfect for all!

    So after about an hour when we arrived at the first beach for the day we said farewell and Amr and I set off for the rest of the day. It was glorious, but I still wonder why I ever heard it was an easy track, as we spent all day ascending from the beaches, which today were part of the track (unlike yesterday when they were optional side tracks), then walking along the shoulder of the coastline till we descended to the next beach. But it was all made worthwhile because of the stunning views and perfect weather, and I’m happy to say that at the end of the day I don’t have any stiffness, sore joints or any aches and pains!! In fact my only complaint is an acute attack of hay fever which has kept me twitching and snuffling all day…the NZ spring pollens I guess.

    We walked about 17 kms of fairly demanding walking, and were picked up by Sarah who was our shuttle person from Nelson to here (and she will transfer us back to Nelson on Saturday I believe). Such a welcome sight to see her van waiting for us! The ride back to Marahau was almost 2 hours!! It is all national park and we had to go right round the edge and up a very high and windy road and down the other side…not easy.

    So altogether a wonderful day…we feel very exhilarated. Went to dinner with C and J at the same place as last night as it was the only one open, and tonight to our amazement we didn’t have to wait for ages, our delicious food came quickly (it was delicious last night too, but such a long wait!) and all were happy!    Read more

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