Abel Tasman, Arthur's Pass, West Coast

We have included some photos of our trip through the Authur's Pass area as well as some of the Abel Tasman National Park and the ferry over to Wellington. We stayed in Nelson the night before driving to Picton where the ferry left for Wellington. The ride on the ferry took us out through Charlotte Sound, which is absolutely stunning and we have heard that trekking that area is wonderful as well. Another time. I will try to label the photos after Kris posts them for us. I haven't been able to figure out how to put captions on them before they are posted. 

The area we drove through on our way up to Arthur's Pass reminded us of driving up 395 on the way to Mammoth. The only difference was the lack of people and the size of the rivers. There is no shortage of rivers and water in New Zealand, and they make use of it with lots of hydroelectric dams. No nukes for this country.I have to apologize for so many photos of mountains and rivers but around every corner seemed to be a prettier shot. Hard to choose what to include and what not to. Hope you enjoy.

Waterfall in the way, no problem, just extend the creek.

Designer cows, they all had the one white stripe.

Why is boys always have to throw rocks ??

Sunset on the Tasman Sea.

Every town, small or large, had at least one Golf course.

If you played good that day you paid, if you played bad you didn't ??

Davey Crockett as the greens keeper.

Pancake Rocks

There has to be fish in this river, just has to be !!!

Kayak trip in Abel Tasman National Park

David thoroughly enjoying kayaking

Tide goes out, boats roll onto their sides, no problem.

Loading up for the crossing over to the north island.

Just after leaving Nelson on the ferry.

Just through those rocks you enter into one of the worst bodies of water in the world. It's the channel running between the north island and the south island of New Zealand and connecting the Pacific with the Tasman.

Very cool rock formations on the southwest side of the north island.

The green is a moss line from the freshwater in the river.

A rainbow to greet us as we docked in Wellington.

Our brief stay on the West Coast of the South Island was also spectacular. Although we never did make it southwest to the Fox Glacier (another time I promise myself), we thoroughly enjoyed the little campground in Punikaiki, where the tropics meet the Tasman Sea. The Pancake Rocks were really interesting and the drive up to Westport was awesome, sort of like a tropical Hwy 1 through Big Sur. We then headed inland and ended up in a little kayaking/river running town named Murchison. We strolled along the river at the campsite, met some amazing kids who were kayak and river guides, mostly enthusiastic, bright young women, and enjoyed just being that evening. Next day we drove to Abel Tasman for two days of wonderful fun.  Suzi and David

P.S. from David on Golf

The photos I have of the Murchison Golf course are typical of so many golf courses I've seen during this tour of the south island of New Zealand. Almost every town, large or small, has its own course and sometimes even two courses. They never seem to have many players on them but they all look well maintained and very attractive to try. Green fees are anywhere from $15 - $40, and if you get there after the starter has gone home or is at lunch, you just put your money in a box and head off to the first hole. It's all very casual and low key, but today I found out the course members are not only good players but take their games seriously. I played an 18 hole course here in Oakura on the west coast of the north island, and four of the nicest guys allowed me to play a round with them. There were only 5 other people on the whole course, so it didn't matter that with adding me they now had a 5-some. I rented some clubs that would have been considered antiques back in Calif. but I didn't really deserve any better, and they all seemed to be there. That is, until I tried to use the 7 iron and found it was a left hand club. Oh well, sometimes it's good to have a left hand club in your bag; you may get stuck up next to a tree and can only swing from the left side. Could have used that 7 iron a few times though!!!! My playing partners were cool guys, all about my age and friendly as hell. They didn't even laugh at my swing which is more than I can say for some of my friends back home. Anyway, I had a load of fun, made a few good shots and had a few beers with the guys afterward. I just wish I could understand this New Zealand English better..............David