New Zealand 65 - Day 4 - Whariwharangi Hut

 Anyway, we made our way back to the hut and I went straight to bed while Matt chatted it up for awhile with some Canadians (girls) making hemp bracelets. Again, whatever, I was exhausted.

We awoke at 5am sharp because low tide was at 4am and we had to cross by 6am at the latest.

Matt and Cynthia (to be continued) 

New Zealand 64 Awaroa

 
He crossed barefoot with the water at his waist holding his 50 kilo pack above his head for a solid ten minutes with shells cutting his feet the whole way. He said it was "all good". Whaaaaatever.

So these tides are pretty serious business and we had to face the same crossing the next morning but with enough sense to rise early and cross at low tide.

Matt and Cynthia (to be continued) 

New Zealand 63 "high tide"

 The rise and fall is so dramatic that if you are more than 2 hours beyond the appointed time, you either wait 12 hours for the next fall or cross up to your neck in water, not a safe thing to do as the current is very, very strong. We met a man at Torrent Bay who conveniently ignored the Awaroa tidal crossing warnings because, in his words, "a man can only wait so long".

Matt and Cynthia (to be continued) 

New Zealand 62 Just In Case

 The just in case turned out to be a yummy chicken salad (well, the meat was a bit suspect but it was organic "something"), a $5 8 ounce coke (I was absolutely yearning for a coke) and an $8 Monteith's brew for Matt. We could not have been more pleased. We had to hurry because the tide was rising and the latest we could get back across safely was half 5. I will take a moment here to discuss the tides of Abel Tasman. These tides are not anything even remotely similar to what we know as "high tide" or "low tide" in the states.

Matt and Cynthia (to be continued) 

New Zealand 61 Walking Distance

 we found out that there was a lodge with a café within walking distance (what isn't walking distance, right??) We cleaned up quickly (sadly, no cold shower here) and headed out for the hour and a half return to the café. It was superb! 

Even though everyone said we wouldn't need cash on the track (there aren't exactly shops around every bend) I asked Matt to bring $40 "just in case".

Matt and Cynthia (to be continued) 

New Zealand 60 Onetahuni Bay

 We woke early as usual but by the time we got everything together it was nearly 8am. We made really good time to Onetahuni Bay which is where we had decided to stop for lunch. The bay was just beautiful, a great place to relax for a couple of hours on the beach. So relaxed, in fact, that the last thing I wanted to do was walk anymore so the last stretch was particularly grueling for me. We arrived at the next hut, Awaroa in good spirits because we had made good time and glory to god!

Matt and Cynthia (to be continued) 

New Zealand 59 Bark Bay Hut

 Bark Bay Hut was quite nice, it was larger than our previous hut and had a hot gas stove for heating which Matt engaged right away. By 6pm we were snuggled into warm clothes and Matt made instant cheesy mashed potatoes for dinner (they were so delicious). 

It was a different crowd tonight; our group from the previous night were headed in the opposite direction. With not much else to do and no inclination to do it anyway, we were in bed by 7pm.

Matt and Cynthia (to be continued)