Beholding the ethereal beauty of an ordinary sun and moon: Nelson and Abel Tasman

Abel Tasman coastline

I went tramping on the Abel Tasman Coast Walk last week and it was superb! When you talk to people about NZ, you often hear Abel Tasman mentioned, for good reason: golden sands eroded from granite, clear green-blue coves and bays, spectacular rivers, waterfalls, seals...amazing beauty. I was out there for five days, and sampled all four of the huts along the track. It was sunny pretty much the whole time, though nights were cold. Some of the huts had wood stoves, which made for lovely warm evenings, chatting with fellow trampers. I met kiwis, Australians, Germans, and even an American on this trip. Got great tramping advice for NZ and Australia. I was dreading the crowds on this walk, which I hear can be really bad. But this walk highlights why I love shoulder season! The huts were only 1/3 to 1/2 full, and everybody had elbow room. I wouldn't want to do it in summer when the huts are all packed and everyone's jammed in together!

A typical gorgeous cove and beach in Abel Tasman NP.

New Zealand seal at Separation Point.

A Nelson evening.

I spent a couple of days in the charming town of Nelson before and after the Abel Tasman and had a really good time walking around and getting to know this sunny corner of NZ. Apparently it's got the best weather of the country. I managed to time my visit perfectly to coincide with the Nelson Int'l Film Festival, so I took advantage of it and saw a really cool film called Encounters at the End of the World, a documentary about Antarctica, focusing on McMurdo Station, the people there, and why they were there, and several of the ongoing scientific studies. One of the studies was on the Waddell seals, whose milk has got the highest fat content of mammals at 40 percent fat! Scientists are looking at the milk with the idea of using the knowledge for human weight control/dieting. I also went to a couple of farmers markets, getting fennel bulb, kale, apples, and fresh peanut butter - so those at home have no need to worry that I'm eating well!

Pub in Mapua! The owners are from Calif. I can't wait to talk to them to hear their connection to Cal. Go Bears! (this pub name and icon might be a copyright infringement!)

I am currently staying near the village of Mapua (30 mins from Nelson) doing another wwoofing week with Ann and Bob Phillips of Acredale. They've got a beautiful coastal property that I get to apply mulch to. :) I am really enjoying myself in their company and feel completely at home and at ease. I even made a loaf of bread in their breadmaker - my first successful loaf! They are growing many types of fruit and nut trees, berries, and vegetables on their small acreage. Some of these I've never heard of before, such as the tamarillos, shown below. This fruit is often cooked in desserts.