Abel Tasman National Park

So, everyone here said, “You must go to Abel Tasman Park. It’s beautiful!”.  So, why not. Packed some sandwiches, drinks and jumped into the Kiwimobile……off to the park.  A little note about NZ roads. (I know, it’s always about the roads!) Anyway, here it is…if you think you’re on a straight road, you’re really in a parking lot, so 100KPH ain’t gonna make it! Otherwise, if the road is constantly turning right, then left, then right, you’re on a typical NZ road and although the speed limit is 100KPH, average speed for the entire trip will be closer to 50-60KPH (that’s 30-35MPH folks!) At one point Collette actually got out and walked beside the Kiwimobile to stretch her legs.

Okay, maybe not that bad but pretty curvy roads. Kinda reminds me of Ireland. So, after about 1-2hrs driving we passed a sign pointing to Harwood’s Hole, one of the sites we wanted to check out so turned around and on our way.

Turns out the drive was another hour on Costa Rican dirt roads but we got there, and only lost one hubcap!  Now a quick 40 minute hike to Harwood’s Hole and pictures galore!

Harwood’s Hole is, well it’s a hole. But a big damn hole! The whole hole is about 1171’ deep and 165’ around. Best part, no fences, gates, railings, or someone stopping you from finding out how fast search and rescue can get to you. But, as my Misses said, “we’re not hiking all this way and you to not get a picture.” Over the rocks, through crevices, cracks, fallen trees, mud holes that could swallow a good sized car, we arrive at what appears to be the edge.

With a little encouragement from Ms. C, I head to the edge. Now the rocks that I’m standing behind, more appropriately making love to, are the only thing between me and the abyss. With Collette’s constant encouragement I’m confident this is perfectly safe and those stories of lost hikers are simply folklore.  Just lean over a little bit, hold the camera out and snap off a few pics. Simple and actually made it without soiling myself.

Quick hike back to Collette who has eaten our sandwiches and taking a brief nap. “Did you get the pictures” she asked. “Hell, yes! Check these out!” I replied.  Huh, guess they didn’t turn out for some reason. “Not to worry,” she said. “Go back out there and do it again, the right way.” This is one of those times when you think they will say, “he made it once. That’s more than most. Why did he go back”……..

Because the wife wants pictures! 

So here they are. Enjoy!!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pictures are done, now a quick 2hr drive to the Wainui waterfall and more hiking tramping. The waterfalls were where we started off to when we first left Nelson. Somewhere around 2pm in the afternoon we finally found them. Only had one turn-around and one missed-the-turn and bingo, found it. Now a short 30 minute tramp (now that does sound like Oakland, huh?) and behold, Wainui Falls. Beautiful!

There were a few young lads, foolish boys who decided the water was just too good to pass up. Well, it looked more like the little tykes at Mapua wharf with the slight push, shaking the head NO!, dares and actually touching the water and feeling just what the first stages of hypothermia feel like.  A couple braved the cold and swam out. Even though we just met, gonna miss those lads.

The falls, as we’re finding with all the countryside in NZ, is just beautiful. If I had to compare it to a place in the States, guess it would be the Oregon coast or somewhere in mid-Idaho, simply magnificent.  Another adventure and so different from anything else we’ve done. You gotta try this……….