w h i t e w a t e r • r i V e r • s e a • m u l t i s p o r t ... - Canoe & Kayak

Abel Tasman Easter 2007
by Anjuli Burrell
The sky was an intense blue with no clouds in sight. The trees
on the cliff were a great example of New Zealand’s native
bush. The water in front of me was calm, a tranquil blue,
enclosed by interesting rock formations as I drifted in to what
we nick-named The Paddling Pool. I turned around to check
where the others had blown and a seal popped up beside me,
looking like he wanted to take a chunk out of my paddle. All
around us were about 30 seal pups, playing with each other,
jumping around, swimming backstroke, doing handstands
and investigating the kayaks. Easter bunny had joined us
for our Easter trip to the Abel Tasman National Park – for a
while there it looked like he was going to become seal bait
as the seals tried climbing on to the front of Diane’s kayak
where Easter bunny was having a ride.
We left Wellington in the very early hours of Good Friday, catching the ferry
to Picton, and then driving to Nelson for breakfast before continuing on to
Marahau to start our trip. The lack of sleep meant it felt like we didn’t get on
the water until mid afternoon, but after a final real coffee and checking our
watches again, we left Marahau at about 11am. A short stop at Apple Tree bay
for lunch, and then with a slightly increased head wind
and a small swell we paddled to The Anchorage, our
campsite for the first night. The sun went down and by
about 7pm we were all in our tents sleeping.
The next day came, and with it a change of plans. Liz, one
of our group, was sick. So Andy, stayed behind to look
after her, and commandeer the fireplace for our return.
The rest of us left about 10am – for a day trip this time.
We explored all the bays and the coastline, stopping at
Bark Bay for a snack and a leg stretch, before continuing
to our day’s destination, Tonga Island, where we found
The Paddling Pool. We could have spent all afternoon
here watching the seal pups play. Eventually we
dragged ourselves away and headed for Tonga Quarry
and stopped for lunch. Our trip back to The Anchorage
was great, with following seas and a tail wind. Once
back at The Anchorage, I dragged Andy out on the water
(as if he would complain
at the opportunity) so I
could practise wet exits
and rescues. This was
followed by Andy serving
pancakes made over
the fire. He had a finely
crafted wooden whisk,
and a perfected flipping
technique. The pancakes
were quite a luxury at
the end of a long days
paddling. With a campfire
and marshmallows we
stayed up a bit later before
turning in.
We were greeted with
h e a v y r a i n t h e n e x t
m o r n i n g, s o p a c k i n g
up was done as quick
Bunny meets seal.
as possible. Because Liz
Caitlin Pilcher
was much better, but not
ready to paddle, we left
her at The Anchorage for
another day and made our
way to our next campsite.
We explored Falls creek –
a very beautiful, peaceful
river that runs into a lagoon
before meeting the sea and
went on to Bark Bay, set up
camp and hung everything
out to dry. After lunch we
paddled to Tonga Island
again where the seal pups
were definitely the draw
card. We watched them
play for ages. This time
they were more inquisitive.
Some of them climbed on
to our kayaks, and others
had their tummies tickled.
As the youngest member
of our group, 14yr old
Caitlin said, “we were
close enough to smell the
seals burp!!” . The sounds
the seals made indicated
they had indigestion rather than trying to communicate with each
other! Our trip to Tonga Island had been a good work out with
another head wind, and a bit of swell – the return trip was a cruise.
All 7 boats rafted up with 2 sails pushing us along, while we ate
chocolate, courtesy of the Easter Bunny.
We spent the evening round a campfire – this time with popcorn
made over the fire, listening to the Rurus calling, and looking for
constellations.
Our last full day dawned. Andy, Diane and I Rock Gardened round
30 ISSUE FORTYone • 2 0 0 7