From Picton to Motueka

Wellington feels like another lifetime already as we make our way into the rugged coastlines of the south island.  We got on a ferry in Wellington for a 3 hour sea voyage across the Cook Straight, through open water and then the mouth of the Marlborough Sounds, dolphins welcoming us in and landed in the town of Picton. 

We decided to venture on and make it to Nelson for the night, camping out in a cute little holiday park just outside of town.  Nelson is known for its arts and crafts community so we spent the afternoon perusing beautiful pottery and other local crafts, enjoying a coffee and a pint along the way.

Nelson was lovely but we were keen to get out of the city and into the country so we ventured on to the seaside harbor of Mapua for the day.  We spent the day on the waterfront, enjoying some local brews (Gold Bear Brewery) and local smoked fish for dinner.

We left Nelson this morning and wandered through Tasman, having some breakfast and feeding the local eel population at the Jester House Cafe and then wandering off the beaten track for a few hours to visit Kina Peninsula.  Oysters, mussels, baby crabs, sea stars and views of the entire bay and the most southern part of Abel Tasman National Park (where we are headed tomorrow but that is another story)- it was a great way to start the day.

Today we are in the town of Motueka where we'll spend the night before heading into the park tomorrow for a 2 day kayaking and hiking trip and spending the night on a house boat in the Tasman Sea. 

Until next time-  loving and missing you all- wish you could be here- I don't think it would be possible to travel in New Zealand without falling in love, it is a place like no other.

xoxo
Kaitlyn