KAITERITERI - Beaches and seals kayak trip . . . link here

Abel Tasman National Park is right atthe top of the South Island and stretches along the coast for miles, and has a beach that has been voted one of the top 5 in the world.
It was an early rise for us which was a bit of a shock to the system, and an even bigger shock that the kayaking was the first thing we were doing, Bbbrrrrr!!!!!
After a brief lesson, we doubled up in our kayaks and headed off around kaiteriteri beach. We struggled a bit at first as Helen couldn't get to grips with the steering and we managed to crash into every single rock available and had a nightmare trying to get going. Once we managed to actually get round the corner we found ourselves at Tidal Lagoon which was stunning. We then kayaked along to Split Apple Rock, which is huge and 2 Gods founght over it and therefore it got split in 2. (Far more interesting story really but I can't remember it that well!) On the island right by this was a tree full of birds that looked like penguins. On closer inspection, one of the poor things had gotten tangled and looked like it had hung itself!! I tried to get a good piccie but not sure how it turned out.
We had a little picnic at the beach and Gloria told us the story of Abel Tasman, who the National Park is named after, and how he hasn't even actually stepped foot on the land! She used a violin to tell the story too which was a really cool touch.
We switched around in the kayak and I had a go at steering which was actually quite easy, and headed back to base singing a few Maori songs along the way.
Our water taxi was waiting for us and we went further along the park to Tonga Island seal colony where heaps of seals were sunbathing and swimming around us. It was really relaxing to watch as the gracefully twirled themselves around and, of course, I got a few snaps.
Our little trek was from Onetahuti to Bark Bay, and so off our 'Team Extreme' went. When we got to Bark Bay we stripped off and headed straight for a swim which was freezing but the first time in ages that I actually felt like I was on holiday again. We met a Welsh couple and Gareth insisted that his wife take a picture of us in the sea, me and Helen on an arm each as he thought his mother would like it! Yeah right!!! We picked a glorious sunny day which made it even better too.