There were many options in which to explore the park, most were not right for us. We could have sailed, but it was to expensive. We could have kayaked, but we figured we were not physically up for it. We could have hiked and camped, but decided against it because we would need a real pack mule in order to cart all of our stuff in. We pondered and came to the conclusion that a water taxi would be best.
So we climbed aboard the 10 seater boat and headed north into the park for a hour long skim across the glassy water to our starting point, Bark Bay. Once we arrived at Bark Bay we got dropped off and told to keep left. There we were 20km deep into the Abel Tasmen National Park, our car was 21Km away and our only way to get back was walking, so off we went.
Over hills, through the forest and across the sandy beaches we walked. For hours on end the incredibly well kept trail weaved in front of us, sea to the left, mainland to the right, forest above and below us, the trail kept revealing itself. There were times that even you could take off your shoes and tramp on.
Around every major headland was a golden sandy beach waiting for us. With the sun high in the sky keeping everything nice and warm the sea displayed the perfect invitation for a cool down. A quick swim, an apple and we were off due south, looking for PY.
Half way through the day we came upon Torrent Bay, named for notoriously quick tidal changes due to the flat sandy bottom. The tide was out, so we got to take the 1.5 hr short cut across the sand and clam beds that see the light of day just twice with the cyclical shifts of the tide. We cast our shoes aside and embarked. A couple of wrong stream crossings saw us with no choice but to go over a couple of small rocks, which lead me to the March edition of the
Fall Down Report
With shoes in one hand and feet covered in a thin layer of saturated silt a medium sized wall of rock acted as a barrier to our destination. I climbed over first and noted the flat pancake-esk rock on the over side. I further noted the precarious 32° angle of the rock sloping away from the medium sized barrier, which we had to cross. At this very moment I turned and gave this information to Andi and offered a hand over the impediment. The offer was refused and I carried on without much thought.
“EEEKK” Andi shouted, with a tone that stated Oh, shit I'm falling.
I turned my head to view the events unfolding only to have to duck away from the tethered shoes that were hurtling towards my head end over end...right shoe, left shoe, right shoe, left shoe. Simultaneously the shoes and Andi hit the ground, further proving Newtons first law that all objects fall at the same speed.
The incident investigation report revealed that the silty layer on Andi's feet coupled with the silty slimy layer on the rocks resulted in double the slip and double the trouble for her balance.
The rest of the day was much the same as the first, vista after vistas with sandy beaches in between. In the end it took us 7 hours to complete the 20Km but it was well worth it, that said we were happy to see the car. 
Day 6 was a great day under the sun, in the forest on the beach and most importantly not behind a desk. Andi said it best, this is way better than working.
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1 comment:
looks Amazing Andrea
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