Abel Tasman

Posted by in New Zealand

We have been looking forward to this day since we booked it online months ago. What we booked was a boat ride to the middle of nowhere and a packed lunch. If we wanted to get home that evening we were to walk our way back to the nearest ferry terminal before the sunset. In our case, we walked close to 20km, through pristine national park on the northern coastline of the south Island. We trekked through forest, over swing bridge and through tidal inlets in the sand to reach our destination, but as the old saying goes, this was certainly about the journey and not the destination.

For most of the track we were sheltered in the shade of the forest, breathing fresh air, hearing the wind through the tree tops and keeping a keen ear for wildlife. We were occasionally rewarded with views that I am sure were created for an artist. Pristine beaches, turquoise sea shore, green islands and blue skies. It made me wonder if I had reached a state of enlightenment aiken to that of the Dalai Llama.

We took our opportunity and made our way across a large tidal crossing. The fish were jumping upstream as the tide rolled in to our knees. If only we could pause time and just take a moment or 20 to stop and breathe in the reality of our surroundings. But confucious says that people who meditate in rising tides get washed out to sea.

I hope these photos bring you some peace today.

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