Wednesday 15 January 2014

NZ - PICTON - Golden Bay

the morning is overcast so we decide to head for Nelson and look at the options….it’s New Years Eve in Kiwi land and there is a lot of activity…..we wind up going through Nelson and making our way up to Golden Bay…..we drive through the pass that was used in filming the area outside Mordor in LOTR…..lots of marblestone rock everywhere and some breathtaking views - I know! what a shock!……….we head to Takaka Beach which is fantastic and long and after a bit of lunch, the walking begins…….this is a huge beach with lots of shore birds, crabs, horses, dune sail boats and all that kind of stuff….Abel Tasman National Park is in the near distance…..we get our daily stroll in and head back for Momoranghi…..stir fry and Nelson wines for dinner - how the 3 little maids pulled this meal off is beyond me……delicious and brown rice no less!…..not long after dark the fire works begin - seems like an early night but they go on and on…..we take a break from the fireworks and walk up to the waterfall to look at the glow worms - yup, glow worms, I kid you not……pitch dark in a tree covered trail and all of these little clusters of lights made by worms……who knew?……we walk out of the trail and look up into the sky and the stars are brilliant…….more fireworks and Kiwi New Year’s revelry in the background……..Jess serenades us with some of her masterpieces and after an outburst of midnight fireworks, we wish each other a HNY and a very good night……

an early morning shot of the sun seekers with Charlotte Sound in the background...



the view from the Hawks Valley lookout.....





the hawk from Hawk's Valley...



Abel Tasman National Park in the distance from Takaka Beach....



the tide is out and the sand and water glisten for miles......



terns provide a natural accent to the beautiful layers of colour......



meanwhile, down in the water......



a tiny crab hauls an enormous (for his size) shell out to sea looking a bit like a shrunken retiree with pots of money driving away in his 50 foot mobile home..........



the beach is spacious........




Jess & Linda stroll along and chat........



one of many interesting shore birds.......



takeoff........



airborn..........



like walking in another world.......



the 3 little maids wave to the camera.........



sand sailing.....looks like fun for the whole family....



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