Not to be confused with Nelson, BC, which is far inland. Definitely a funky small town, galleries, art and nearby, Abel Tasman track.
Made it out to go 'tramping' (kiwi for hiking). Took a bus up to Takaka, to see the biggest fresh spring in Australasia (or some such claim), truly clear clear water. Cycled the last few miles from the hostel. Butt sure sore next day. That night almost full moon, crazy gusty weather and as dark clouds rolled in bringing rain on one side of valley, could see a moon 'rainbow' in the dark over the town! First I'd ever even heard of one. Of course no camera so can't prove it.
From there, bussed to north end of Abel T park at Totaranui,
and took water taxi along coast. Gorgeous rocky area. Dropped off on beach to hike from Bark bay to Torrent Bay. A couple hours on easy track, nothing too taxing. Even without a huge pack I'm a bit slow, but stopped to take lots of photos. Then another water taxi to Coquille Bay to hike the last stretch into Marahau, and the bus back to Nelson.
There was so little bird song. Hoped it was only because of the helicopters, power boats, kayakers, and crowds drowning them out, not that they didn't exist. To think that Joseph Banks on his trip to NZ commented that the bird song filled the air, and now there are so few birds.
Met some great people while in Nelson area: My hosts, Kaye and Jim McNabb, Milo and his family from the boat show, John Moore and Woodi. Hope to make it back and explore somemore another time, but had to move on.
See more photos at:
Made it out to go 'tramping' (kiwi for hiking). Took a bus up to Takaka, to see the biggest fresh spring in Australasia (or some such claim), truly clear clear water. Cycled the last few miles from the hostel. Butt sure sore next day. That night almost full moon, crazy gusty weather and as dark clouds rolled in bringing rain on one side of valley, could see a moon 'rainbow' in the dark over the town! First I'd ever even heard of one. Of course no camera so can't prove it.
From there, bussed to north end of Abel T park at Totaranui,
and took water taxi along coast. Gorgeous rocky area. Dropped off on beach to hike from Bark bay to Torrent Bay. A couple hours on easy track, nothing too taxing. Even without a huge pack I'm a bit slow, but stopped to take lots of photos. Then another water taxi to Coquille Bay to hike the last stretch into Marahau, and the bus back to Nelson.There was so little bird song. Hoped it was only because of the helicopters, power boats, kayakers, and crowds drowning them out, not that they didn't exist. To think that Joseph Banks on his trip to NZ commented that the bird song filled the air, and now there are so few birds.
Met some great people while in Nelson area: My hosts, Kaye and Jim McNabb, Milo and his family from the boat show, John Moore and Woodi. Hope to make it back and explore somemore another time, but had to move on.
See more photos at:
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