Greetings from the Happy Apple Backpackers in Motueka - definitely the most youthful, party-like hostel we've stayed in. Lots of people, everyone hanging out in the backyard. Fun for those traveling without parents. Very different from the place we stayed last night.
We are here tonight after spending the day in Abel Tasman National Park, walking part of the coastal track. It was really spectacular - unlike the rest of what I've seen on this trip so far. Hiking in the trees and ferns and greenery above the beach, and then down right along the beach, and then up in the trees again. Some pretty steep sections and switchbacks took us up to some pretty amazing views. And then the last section we had to walk over a slime mud sand bar pool about four football fields long. And the crazy thing was all the sea shells we had to walk on. They were unavoidable,thousands and thousands of shells. Walking barefoot because of the mud and pools. We finally arrived at the first camp for those making the whole five day trek. We stopped to eat our granola bars and apples, turned around, and walked right across the sand bar again. This time with a German guy who was walking back at the same time. He was traveling alone and started talking to us. And he just kept talking and walking with us. Really nice guy - Holger. The whole way back, it was the three of us. So that was interesting. It took quite a bit longer than we expected. Five hour hike. Not too bad. I'm really glad we did it. What an amazing place this is.
We had dinner at a Thai place here in Motukea. Mom and I shared samosas and pad Thai. Came back, ready to take a hot shower and go to bed - struggled trying to figure out how to get hot water in the shower, it's on a timer and shuts off every five minutes. There's a button you have to press, and the light turns off every ten minutes. So I never did get the water to come out hot, and I finished my shower and dried off in the dark. Fun. I am adapting to the backpacker hygiene practices seamlessly; I have brushed my hair twice and shaved my legs once since I've been in New Zealand. But I shower almost daily.
There is a guest playing his saxophone for the others out in the yard. songs like Moondance and Fools Rush In. Reminds me of Kevy B back home. Met our roommate - a kiwi! A 17 year old from Auckland. A spunky girl, very friendly. She's been living here at the hostel for two and a half months. Crazy kiwi.
No comments:
Post a Comment