Early start as picked up by coach at 07:50 for journey to Kaiteriteri which is a small seaside village where most excursions to Abel Tasman NP start. We had a relaxing 3 hour cruise up to the northernmost point of the rainforest. As the boat called in at several small beaches people got off to hike through the rain forest to the next stop and catch another boat back. Some people were even camping overnight.
On the return trip we went up on the open deck. Beautiful sunny day (22c) but very breezy! Didn’t see any dolphins and only a few fur seals but a nice relaxing trip. Had a few hours to kill when we got back to Kaiteriteri whilst waiting for the bus so took a short hike up to Kaka Point. Ate our packed lunch with a spectacular view. Wandered back down to the beach for a cuppa then caught bus back.
Asked the driver to drop us in Nelson rather than at our hotel so we could do a brief tour of the city.We saw the memorial gardens ( but not the Botanic gardens, where there is a plaque stating that Nelson is the middle point of NZ).The shopping area where there are many arty shops and shops specialising in woollen wear was next, fortunately most of them were closed as it was after 6pm. We also saw the cathedral from the outside and I must say it is the ugliest cathedral that I have ever seen, but it was built with local stone from a quarry we saw in the Abel Tasman National Park.
Then we had a meal in a restaurant offering Guinness that attracted B’s eye. Got a taxi home with a really scruffy driver with a long straggly beard. He was a chatty guy and is taking us back to Nelson tomorrow to catch the bus to Picton for the beautiful trip between the South and the North Island. Our north island adventure starts tomorrow and the blog is up to date!!