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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
the coast. We stopped at The Anchorage for a snack, and to collect Liz, and then headed round the bays. Russell & Caitlin in the double and Shelene joined in the Rock Gardening with us, while Ernie continued to try his luck at fishing (not much luck!) and Ria explored the bays ahead. We reached our destination, Observation Bay, in time to hear one of the local <strong>Kayak</strong> guides telling his group of tourists the Maori legend behind Fisherman and Adele Islands. After setting up camp, and a few of us braving the water for a swim, 5 of us circumnavigated Adele Island, with its large collection of Shags, and a few Any fish in here? oyster catchers and some seals. That night we toasted marshmallows over the campfire, competing for the perfect one. Greeted by the dawn chorus, flat water, hot sunshine and blue skies, we paddled along the coast of Adele Island. We stopped to play with a few seal pups and listened to the amazing bird song from the bush. One forgets how loud untouched NZ native bush actually is. A few water fights later and an expedition made by Andy and Russell to roll the double, and we were back packing the trailers, having showers and heading back to Picton to catch the ferry. It was an awesome first Yakity Yak trip – Thanks to the rest of the group for making it such a great experience. Seal of approval ISSUE FORTYone • 2007 31
Page 1 and 2: $5.95 NZ SPONSORED BY white water
Page 3 and 4: ISSUE FORTYone • 2007 3
Page 5 and 6: EDITOR: Peter Townend Ph: 0274 529
Page 8 and 9: Southern Kuaotunu Peninsula - Corom
Page 10 and 11: views at the summit out to the Merc
Page 12 and 13: CRNZ SI KAYAK MARATHON RESULTS 9 th
Page 14 and 15: Exploring Fiji by Shelene Paraone W
Page 16 and 17: 70 years young and still paddling g
Page 18 and 19: Round Rangitoto by Jane Brockie Wha
Page 20 and 21: Higher then the world by Robbie Ban
Page 22 and 23: Land of fire and ice? Baptism of fi
Page 24 and 25: and we were typically on the water
Page 26 and 27: New Zealand’s Best Kept Secret Th
Page 28 and 29: Stupendous Lake Arapuni by Ruth E.
Page 32 and 33: Avoid being a Judder Bar by Ruth E.
Page 34 and 35: Unicorns sighted in the Bay of Isla
Page 36 and 37: aiming for Roberton (Motuarohia Isl
Page 38 and 39: Products available in store or orde
Page 40 and 41: Product release Now in store, we ha
Page 42 and 43: Winger Banner.ai 8/1/07 10:31:31 AM
Page 44 and 45: TUI EXCEl PENGUIN ShEARwATER A vers
Page 46 and 47: squirt flow swing 400 Plus A Sit-on
Page 48 and 49: swallow intriGue Gladiator The next
Page 50: Directory: Things To Do TAUPO Maori

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