Abel Tasman N.P.

Beach at the gorgeous Kaiteriteri.
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We arrived yesterday at Kaiteriteri, a gorgeous bay on the fringes of the Able Tasman National Park, emerald green waters ….I guess the photo speaks for itself. Megan and Luca loved it here. Megan especially is a real sea baby.

Today we took a Sea Taxi, since there are no roads that lead into most of the park, and got dropped off at a beautiful beach, from where we started an amazing 3 hour hike along the mountains and the sea to another bay where we would be picked up. It wasn’t a hard walk, but it was certainly fairly long for the kids, but they had an amazing time. Megan only complained towards the end but only because she got stung by a bee the day before on her little toe and it was sore. The scenery was breathtaking, but also it was lovely to be doing something so nice together, and it felt quite humbling to be in such an amazing place.

Some of the bays in Kaiteriteri.
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I have to say that the price we are paying for all of this is that both kids are quite homesick, Megan especially. Today she saw 2 kids which looked like Skye and Tay in the boat and she nearly burst into tears. She misses everybody a lot, and keeps asking when she can meet some friends. We knew it would be hard for her especially but sometimes I feel like a really shit parent. She has become a bit insecure, not overly, but she is quite concerned with her appearance and what people are thinking of her. I know that this is also a stage, but it’s difficult to always make sure you say the right thing. She has always been a very sociable child and I guess she needs the chance to stay in one place for a little while and make some friends. In the meantime, she is actually really enjoying this experience, except for these moments, and Luca and her have become increasingly close. Luca on the other hand, although he wants to see his friends, is having a ball running around barefoot all the time and spending tones of time with Evan. He has become really clingy with him and today drew the most beautiful picture of his daddy ever!

What a sunset!
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We are parked in some dark forest in the middle of nowhere for the night, I can hear an owl hooting outside and Evan is snoring beside me. Its time for bed (I have to dismantle the table first!).