Nelson and the Marlborough Sounds NZ South Island

We had to get up early (6am) to drive to the ferry terminal so we could catch the ferry across to Picton on the South Island for the next stage of our travels. The journey took approx 3 hrs and took us through the picturesque Marlborough Sounds. When we landed in Picton we pretty much drove off the ferry and and headed straight for Nelson which is on the North West coast of the south island and a 2 hour drive from Picton. We booked into the hostel which was as good as a hotel, extremely clean, very modern, downstairs bar and great hosts. It was located right nest to a beautiful park and a minutes walk to the town centre. The first day we just chilled out in the park still recovering from the early morning rise and then had a few beers with fellow backpackers in the hostel bar.

The following day we took a stroll down to the beach to just lay and sunbathe and the odd occasional swim in the sea, take a few photos, you know how it is!!

The third day in Nelson we drove to the Abel Tasman National Park which is right on the coast with some amazing beaches. We got aboard an Aquataxi (yes a boat) and this took up the coast to various bays explaining the history of each one before taking us to Tonga Island to see the Seals laying on the rocks soaking up the rays and some seals splashing around in the sea. Finally we were dropped off at Anchorage Bay, another stunning beach where had our lunch and a lay down for a few hours before walking the 12km back along the coast and up a few steep hills to the taxi base and our car, this took us about 3 and a half hours but was a very relaxing walk and from up in the hills the view was fantastic and the weather red hot. Having left the hostel at about 8.30 in the morning, we didn't arrive back till about 8 in the evening, so a very long day. We decided to reward ourselves with a bag of fish and chips, or fush and chups as they are pronounced here. After a shower and a cold beer (wine for Sonya) we hit the sack knackered.

The forth day in Nelson was the day we were supposed to leave but as our legs were still a little tired plus the hostel being so nice we decided to put off the 4hr drive to Greymouth for a day, so instead just chilled out during the day, and then we went for a walk to a place which is supposed to be geographically the centre of New Zealand, typically it was at the top of a very very steep hill which took about 40 minutes to climb, but we did it and the views over Nelson were worth the effort.

Lee