Abel Tasman Coastal Track

Well my second tramp in New Zealand is one to remember. This one was a test of both mind and body. This one of NZ's most crowded and popular tramps but what sums it up is, "Good things come to those who wait."

I stayed my first night at Anchorage Bay campsite and had a great time around the campfire with some people from Israel, Germany, and Scotland. Drank some wine and ate some chocolate, oh and some NZ group gave us some leftover stir fry which was the best food I have had yet. It rained that night and I got up and packed up my wet tent and headed for Bark's Bay.

It was cloudy and ugly the whole day and heavy rain was in the forecast for the night so when I arrived at Bark's Bay I was the only one camping and the DOC (Department of Conservation) lady said that 7 people cancelled. So I was alone at a big campsite and luckily there was a Kiwi family that anchored their sailboat in the bay. We had a beer and some rum and sat around a campfire before the rain started to come.

Before I go any farther, there was a side track to a rapid's/pool called Cleopatra's Pool where you could hike to and swim in. When I went there the water was flowing incredibly fast and what was supposed to look like a pool was a jaquzzi. I stripped down to my undies and climbed up these dangerous rapids, up about 6 levels with a German guy that was doing the same. His girlfriend got some spectacular shots of us.

So it poured like it said it would and the next day was cloudy until the end of the day when it cleared up. You have to plan out the low tide times to cross a lot of the beaches so I had to cross with the water above my knees to my 3rd night of camping, Awaroa. This tide area was gigantic and it was low so I was able to set down my stuff and enjoy a great beach for a few hours.

I woke up early, to catch the low tide, after being chanted at by opossums during the night and headed for Wharangui Camp. I met up with two woman from Auckland and guy from Hong Kong and we had a splendid time tramping. We parked our asses on this remote and incredible beach for about 3 hours and enjoyed the beautiful sun. It was so incredible because we were on the most popular hike and since everyone bailed because of the rain we had this amazing beach all to ourselves. When we pushed on we arrived at Separation Point which was absolutely breathtaking. The waves would crash up against these giant rocks and in the distance where the hills of the south island and the water was a blue that pictures can't give justice too. There were seals and it made you feel alive.

Finished up the hike and watched the sunset and walked to our final destination with Kit for China and caught a watertaxi, yes a watertaxi back to start of the tramp.

I'm slacking on the pictures but no computers will allow me to upload them.

Until next time, cheers,


Wake

Queen Charlotte Track

Hey er-body,

Well I finished up my first 4-day hike of the Queen Charlotte Track and it was spectacular! The views we outstanding and there were so many different coves that were along the way that every view was something new. You feel a lot of accomplishment when you get to the top of the moutain and have a chance to look down upon what you have hiked.

I hiked the track with two other guys that I met in the hostel. To be honest I have never hiked and camped until this one so it was new and exciting. I got to celebrate my finishing the hike last night by sharing some drinks with two other mates that we having their last night here in Picton.

Picton is a beautiful harbor and I can just sit in the sun and watch the boats come in with mountains in the background. It's sunny and if I could guess right around 70 degrees.

Tomorrow I leave for Nelson and then I will do a great walk called Abel Tasman which is along the beach and I will hike and camp there for 5 nights. Probably rent a kayak and doing a little bit of that as well.

Take care,


Wake

South Island begins

I have arrived in Picton this afternoon and the ferry ride to the south island was spectacular. Good sized mountains were surrounding me and I am now beginning my nature part of the trip. I will do a very long and difficult hike starting tomorrow called the Queen Charlotte Track which will take about 5 days. Then I head over to Abel Tasman National Park and do another 5 day hike. I should be pretty tired after that so I will probably take it easy for a few days after that.

Everyone has been talking about the weather has been great and there hasn't been rain but it is pooring right now and might do the same tomorrow. I have a kick ass raincoat so no worries.

I will shout back when I finish up my first big hikes.

Take care ya'll,

Peace and love,


Luker

Windy Wellington

Wellington is the city to be in. Music is everywhere and the food and drink is uncomparable. The mates that I am staying with are the coolest people. These past two nights we have gotten pretty toasted and whatnot but nothing but good times. I have heard a lot of new and interesting music which is always exciting to me. I am writing this blog while quite intoxitcated but this is the best way to explain the time that I am having.

Amy, Joe, and Aoybh are the best hosts, and boy can they drink. We have had some good times these past two nights with a good amount of bubbles and beer. I came for the south island but Wellington brought the joy of partying and l-i-v-i-n. We have been throwing paper airplanes out of the window to attempt to get it past the parking ramp, small things like this have been just brilliant and halarious.

There are great bands that are playing throughout Wellington these next couple months so I will be attending these cool ass shows while I'm here. I also just drank the drink that is supposedly the last drink Hemmingway drank before he committed suicide, it was delicious. I also had my first expresso, first sake, and also went bowling today.

I am babling because I'm a little drunk but cheers anyways.

Honestly I don't even know what I just wrote but I hope it makes decent sense.

I love you Mom and Dad,

Peace and Love,



Wake

Rotorua

Well I have spent the last three days in Rotorua, which is the tourist capital of New Zealand. Absolutely beautiful geysers and sulfur lakes but the smell is as powerful as the beauty. Met some cool cats each day and I'm suffering from a wicked hangover from last night.

My luggage is being sent to me in Wellington tomorrow, I hope. It will be amazing to put on a new pair of boxers and a new shirt. I feel bad for my hostel roomates, I smell!

We went to a concert in the park right by Rotorua Lake and it was a good atmosphere and everyone had a good time, BYOB - right on. There was a stellar fireworks show afterwards with a fantastic grand finale.

I go to Wellington tomorrow for about 3 or four days then I will start my South Island tour and probably won't update this as much.

Take care and god bless to all,

Wake

1st Day

Well after 16 hours of flying I arrived in Auckland to find that the airport lost my luggage. Seems that LAX is not doing their jobs well and many travelers to NZ are having the problem of lost baggage. I walked around Auckland and talked to Air NZ and they were able to locate my bag. I head to Rotorua in about 30 mins on a bus that I have to catch. So in the next fews days my luggage should be delivered to my hostel in Rotorua. Haven't had time to catch my breath yet so I hope the bag will arrive and things will settle down. The flight over NZ was spectacular, water is a beautiful blue and nothing but mountains of green hills and pastures. As a WI resident I appreciate that. Left side of road, right hand side steering wheels, and warm weather.

Cheers,

Wake