The Heaphy Track

Thankfully, we awoke to Not Rain on Sunday morning. I was pretty sure that had it been raining, I would have pulled the covers back over my head and refused (downright RE-fused) to get up. Given that it was cold as could be without being able to see your breath, I thought myself quite accomplished for actually rising without (much) complaining.

Once the sun had risen high enough, it was obvious that it was going to be a nice (albeit cool) day so we once again donned our hiking gear (yeah, we're going to be needing some laundry facilities soon!) and headed out to the nearby Great Walk designated track — The Heaphy.

I still giggle at the name. Not sure why, but it is just so funny sounding to me. Like the words "Heavy" and "Comfy" got mashed up together. Since I tend to like heavy, comfy things (duvets for example) I figured that this trail was for me!

Since I was still doing battle with the cough and cold that had been trying to take up real estate in my chestal region, I figured that we could do a "just a little" walking on the trail. The trail is very dark and because of that, quite cold. Sunlight was only able to penetrate the dark rainforest canopy in strands (making for some very lovely photo ops!).



We hiked to Scott's Beach and watched the massive waves slam the very steep beach.




So mesmerizing... until the swarms of sand flies surrounded us and launched yet another vicious attack.

Back at the campsite we met Helmut and Renata - two more lovely Germans touring New Zealand. They tell us about a few of their favorite places (this is their fourth trip to NZ) and wish us "wonderful lives". "How considerate", I think, "They say it as though they REALLY TRULY wish us that."

We pack up the Scubs and make the long push all the way over to Matueka (at the bottom of the Abel Tasman National Park) in order to ready ourselves for our upcoming 5 day sea kayak trip.