Abel Tasman- Boats,buses and a farm

Bright and early next morning (mayb not so bright acutally!) we were heading off to take the ferry over the South Island. I was most disspointed to find out for just 3 times the price you can actually sky dive over, way cooler! The ferry was actually an old P&O Ferry, the Pride of Cherbourg which brought back memories of many a crossing to France. Spent most of the journey dozing in the comfy pub but did'nt venture out onto the top deck to try and enjoy the view. No such luck, the wind was so strong I could barely breath and it took two of us to take a photograph.

Finally we docked into Picton on the Northern tip of the south island and after collecting together the rest of our new group headed off for Abel Tasman national park.On the very tip of the South Island, this remote national park runs right into the Malbourgh Sounds and was very rugged but beautiful. We had been prewarned that out accomadation, Old Macdonalds Farm, was pretty basic but nothing could really prepare us for the huts we arrived to. Built from plywood, they were scattered around the grounds and ours was a good five minute walk outside to the toilet, which feels like miles in the pitch black! But we made the most of it and settled in for our 2 day stay.

ours was a good five minute walk outside to the toilet, which feels like miles in the pitch black!

Next day I decided to go sailing, which is apparantely the best way to see the park and alot less energetic than the other options. Unfortunately, the morning dawned grey and cold but the over-entusiatic skipper assured us the weather would get better, he lied! We were sailing on a little catermeran, but did'nt get much sailing in. Instead spent most of the time trying to avoid the rain and choppy seas. The views were truely spectacular and the sun did make an appearance just in time for our lunch stop but it was flippin freezing on that boat! I tried to make the most of it but was pretty chuffed to be back in the heated kitchen!

And so after a brief respite from the travelling, next morning we were packed and ready for our next stop.