New Zealand (6) - Franz Josef - Ferry to South Island, Abel Tasman National Park, Poo Pub Party and Glacier Walking

On the 12th, we got up early (every morning with the Kiwi Experience seems an early morning) and headed for the North to South Island ferry. Once on board we ordered a coffee to warm up, at this point I found the 2 most stupid Kiwis, the making of a mocha took 20minutes!!!! We then sat down in some reclining seats and watched the ferry pass through the beautiful Marlborough Sound, pity about the cloud. There was loads of Jelly fish being churned up by the ferry...good! Once on the other side, wec continued through New Zealands wine country and to the northern city of Nelson.

Nelson is a nice quiet town with a few bars (on Saturday all shops were closed at 5!!!) but the main reason to stop there is its proximity to the Abel Tasmin National Park. It was here that Sam and I set out on a day kayaking trip which was loads of fun.

Our guides took us around small families of Seals. The seals swam around the kayaks and did some barking at us. We then kayaked and sailed down the coast for 17km taking beautful beaches and landscapes, a great day out. It was on this day that Sam has come up with her best quote so far when asking our guides:

Sam: If you lived in New Zealand, what part would you live in?

Paul: They do live in New Zealand...

Bless her...

The next town after Nelson on our tour was a old mining town called Westport. No photos exist of this part as

1. it was rubbish
2. it was dead
3. there was nothing worth photographing

The next day we were on our way to Lake Mahinapua, where there was a huge fancy dress party. The theme was first letter of your name. I went as the pope whilst Sam went as a six year old...in a weird way it seemed to work together. Ill add some photos of this at another time, as they were taken on another camera. Funny enough we did not win....The food was amazing and the host, a 83 year old publican was hilarious and angry in equal proportions! The next day we were on our way to the small town of Franz Josef and world famous Franz Josef glacier.

We paid to go on a full day hike and it was money well spent. We climbed through cravasses and through holes. Loads of fun and very knackering...next stop Wanaka followed by Queenstown!