Hey Dudes!Work has finished-Yey and we've hit the road. I thought you may like a photo of me in my fashionable work gear. After 4 weeks of befriending vines we thought it only right and proper that we actually went for some wine tasting and treated ourselves to a 'posh' lunch. The wine tasting at Montana winery was a little too touristy but worth it. I recommend the Montana Pinot Noir if you are a fan of the red or Pinot Gris (slightly sweeter than Pinot Grigio!) Why not try the whole range, we have.
Bit of a shock to the system moving from the stunning Marlborough Sounds to the city of Nelson (very small funky city!). We spent the start of the last week in the beautiful Queen Charlotte and Kenepuru Sounds (top of the South Island). The photo's here will do more justice to this beautiful place than my words.
It felt like we were in the middle of nowhere. No local convenience stores, the odd couple of resorts tucked away but other than that it was Angie, me and the tent. It was so peaceful and the people we saw were those either camping nearby or on the famous Queen Charlotte Track that's a 4 day trek through the Sounds. We didn't have time to do the whole track so we struck a fine balance between chilled camping, some walking along the track and discovering tiny bays and coves which were completely isolated, clear turquoise water and the random water taxi dropping the next lot of trekkers into the wilderness!! OK not really the wilderness but it certainly felt more remote than the other places we have stayed. The camp areas were very rustic, my favorite, at Kenepuru Head, was amazing. We pitched up looking over Kenepuru Sounds, lush green mountains, islands and headlands. Tinned tomato's and pasta/noodles kept us alive!! No shower for 3 days, Yum!
It felt like we were in the middle of nowhere. No local convenience stores, the odd couple of resorts tucked away but other than that it was Angie, me and the tent. It was so peaceful and the people we saw were those either camping nearby or on the famous Queen Charlotte Track that's a 4 day trek through the Sounds. We didn't have time to do the whole track so we struck a fine balance between chilled camping, some walking along the track and discovering tiny bays and coves which were completely isolated, clear turquoise water and the random water taxi dropping the next lot of trekkers into the wilderness!! OK not really the wilderness but it certainly felt more remote than the other places we have stayed. The camp areas were very rustic, my favorite, at Kenepuru Head, was amazing. We pitched up looking over Kenepuru Sounds, lush green mountains, islands and headlands. Tinned tomato's and pasta/noodles kept us alive!! No shower for 3 days, Yum!This is Angie and I playing hard at Sandy Bay in the Queen Charlotte Sounds. I loved this rope swing, made me laugh and scream all at the same time! Angie looking a bit too cool for school in this one. The final day in the Sounds we walked from Te Mahia Cove to a gorgeous cove, Lockmara. We were told about this by a Kiwi couple we met en route. This seems to be how are travels is working. We have not done any major planning but the route we take has an organic process, mainly built on meeting others, Kiwi
's and travellers who all have advise or recommendations. The Kiwi's are very proud of their country (who wouldn't be living here) and always keen to share their knowledge of areas. From this Angie and I pick and choose and venture to some places we like the look of and not forgetting the trusted Lonely Planet. Everyone has been so friendly along the way, we have also met some very odd people like our fine selves and those who never stop talking and by the time they have eventually taken a breath I've passed out from the sand flies draining my blood! Back to Locmara, a wildlife recovery resort and art gallery, very chilled afternoon spent looking across the Sounds, sitting in hammocks (despite it raining), looking at the art and trying to talk to the parrot things which were there (forgotten the name!). More people than Weka's at this this Bay.
's and travellers who all have advise or recommendations. The Kiwi's are very proud of their country (who wouldn't be living here) and always keen to share their knowledge of areas. From this Angie and I pick and choose and venture to some places we like the look of and not forgetting the trusted Lonely Planet. Everyone has been so friendly along the way, we have also met some very odd people like our fine selves and those who never stop talking and by the time they have eventually taken a breath I've passed out from the sand flies draining my blood! Back to Locmara, a wildlife recovery resort and art gallery, very chilled afternoon spent looking across the Sounds, sitting in hammocks (despite it raining), looking at the art and trying to talk to the parrot things which were there (forgotten the name!). More people than Weka's at this this Bay. 
I wrote about the Weka's before when we went over to Kapiti Island in the North Island. We were warned when camping out in the South and down the West coast, to keep your stuff locked away. These crazy, none flight birds, will try and take anything. The first night in the Sounds we woke to a Weka trying to the take the washing up bowl from under the car, earlier he had tried to get into the car. They are completely fearless and been at all the camping areas so far. Angie was chasing one the other day after the shit stole out dish cloth. Apparently they like anything silver, from our experience they just like anything. Angie did not win the battle with the cloth!
The last night before returning to civilization we dined with a possum in the dark. We were attempting to cook pasta in the dark when the dude scared the crap out of us and the stayed 5 m away while we ate and he/she ate from the ground. Possums are seen as a real pest here and most people want to cause them harm. Pest control in NZ basically means culling all the possums who destroy native forest! I liked this dude (after I knew it was not going to eat us), fearless and cute! Being in the great outdoors and surrounded by a 1001 different types of insects, the noise where we were camping was so loud. Insect orchestra's surrounding us. The first night in the sounds I have to be honest, I was a little scared by the unfamiliar noises but after a while you just become accustomed to them all, even when they are trying to get in your tent!
So arriving in Nelson was a little shock to the system. There was no freedom camping near so we stayed in the city centre in the garden of a hostel! Away from the Weka's and nearer to humans! Along the coast on a flat plain, Nelson looks out to the Tasman sea. There are lots of cute wooden Victorian houses, independent shops and lots of galleries, museums and arty cafes. I liked it a lot! It had, like so many places, a really chilled vibe. We managed to fit in loads despite being very chilled and having no plans we made it to a Bob Marley tribute night at a very funky, run down bar and drank the home Brew, visited the Nelson Museum, the cathederal, Queen's Park, Japenese Gardens just out of town, watched buskers (busker month) ate lush food at Zippy's cafe and visited two markets, the arts market and Saturday Market! The city is more like a large town!
The title of the blog is named after a sperm whale, Tiaki, who we met on a weekend trip in Kaikoura on the east coast. Kaikoura is again another beautiful place, such geological diversity all in one place from the stunning coast line, forested areas and amazing Kaikoura mountain range as the backdrop. The sun was beating down and in the distance snow topped peaks-cool ay! We took a early boat trip
(slightly touristy) to Kaikoura peninsular, over one of the largest under water cannon and into the South Pacific where Whales migrate and some, such as Tiaki, make home. Really sorry Sarah, no Minky Whale. They have them but not around on this tri
p. The trip was awesome and we managed to share the waters with Tiaki who despite being young was huge! For such an amazingly large mammal he was so graceful and peaceful. The photo's are not the best but you can just make out his sausage head!
(slightly touristy) to Kaikoura peninsular, over one of the largest under water cannon and into the South Pacific where Whales migrate and some, such as Tiaki, make home. Really sorry Sarah, no Minky Whale. They have them but not around on this trip. The trip was awesome and we managed to share the waters with Tiaki who despite being young was huge! For such an amazingly large mammal he was so graceful and peaceful. The photo's are not the best but you can just make out his sausage head!We have just arrived in a place I immediately fell in love with, Takaka. A small town on the way to Golden Bay. I will tell you all in the next blog but this place is truly the most chilled and bohemian place. Not seen so many dreadlocks in such a small area! We arrived for the local Mardi Grass on Saturday. These villages know how to party in style!
A bit of a whistle stop tour for you all of the last 2 weeks. We are just heading back into Nelson to collect one of Angie's friends, Georgina, who will be staying with us for the next few day :-)
Great to hear from you Brian. Glad you got the blog OK.
Dixie, I will send you a photo of the stars. I think of you while I look at them x
Lots and lots of love and hugs. Miss you dudes xx I cannot wait to see you Sarah, love you heaps xxx
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