dayoffrida - in NEW ZEALAND

 

We left the morning after Vidde's birthday, brought all our stuff AND Amanda, Simon and all THEIR things in our lovely car. Our plan was to drive up north, to the very top of the South Island. After a stop at our favorite supermarket, Pack n'Save, we were all ready to go. 

 

We drove along the Tasman National Park and passed Takaka and Collingswood, both small villages. The hostel that we had booked in advance, The Innlet, was placed in the middle of nowhere, in the forest, north of Collingswood. The Innlet is nowadays a hostel, but before we heaed that it was a milk farm. A pretty old, run down and cold place. Nothing to do at the hostel, except from relaxing, so we walked down to the beach and spent the afternoon walking around, finding shells :) That evening we played a lot of cards in front of the fire place, drank cups of tea and had a great time with our friends before we went to bed in our share room. 

 

Yesterday morning we woke up early, had breakfast and made picnic. We drove up to the Farewell Spit. This is a narrow sand spit, located at the northern end of the South Island. It is possible to walk about 4km out on the spit, and so did we. It really was a beautiful walk in the warm morning sun, and at some places it looked like we were out walking in the desert. Amazing!

 

Later that day we went to Wharariki Beach, which probably is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been to. We parked the car and walked about 20 minutes over rolling farmland before we reached the beach. Incredible. We spent hours there. Walked around, enjoyed the sunshine (we were lucky, crystal clear blue sky and sunny, even though it is winter here now), dipped our toes in the ocean, watched the baby seals play and had a nice lunch together. Great day!!

 

Me and Vidde had planned to continue drive south, so we dropped Amanda and Simon in Takaka on our way back. We really wanted to sleep well, so we drove back to the Shortbread Cottage in Nelson, and this is where we are at the moment. 

The plan is to keep on going south, on the west coast of the South Island tomorrow morning. Our goal is to reach Westport and stay there for one night. Make stops on the way in Punakaiki and see the Pancake Rocks. 

 

I have studied A LOT today, assignment #8 is going to be done Friday next week and then I AM DONE :) I have learned so much and it has really been an interesting course.

 

Now it is time to go to the supermarket and buy some ingredients for dinner. We are having chicken made in the oven, with vegetables, tomato sause and pasta. 

 

Love,

Frida