Kia Ora

Kia Ora

Interesting facts.

NZ. or Aotearoa In Maori, means 'The Land of the long white cloud'. It is quite a young country, geologically active, with tectonic faults and volcanoes, glaciers and rivers constantly building and eroding land. It consists of many islands, the main ones being the North and South island. It used to be part of one land mass, Gondwana, and split off 80 million years ago, taking with it its unique plants and bird life. The first Eastern Polynesian settlers arrived 750 years ago, and the first Europeans to settle arrived in 1769 after discovery by James Cook.

As it is a long thin country, there are several climates and micro climates within, from sub tropical in the North and temperate (similar to UK) in the South. The total population is around 4.2 million ( UK has nearly 63 million) of which 1 million are based in Auckland. Auckalnd also known as the 'The city of sails' (due to a high proportion of boat ownership) is the biggest city, though not the capital, which is Wellinton. Auckland’s weather is warm/hot long summers with mild and wet winters. (average annual sunshine hours= 2050. Manchester=1200 hrs) and (annual average rain=1240mm. Manchester=810mm!) most rain falling as heavy tropical showers in the winter months of June-July

Wednesday 9 March 2011

Jax's birthday suprise!

I opened my birthday card at breakfast, to find info for a 2 day Kayaking trip along the Abel tasman coast! how cool was that!! very exciting. We arrived at Kaiteriteri, where our adventure would begin. Altogether there were 7 in our party and the guide 'Darryl' who would be looking after us for the next 2 days. Weirdly, most of us were ex pat Brits!
So we had instruction on how to pack out kayaks, paddling technique, and a discussion of where our journey would take us.
 We were then taken by water taxi, to our starting beach, and loaded our belongings, camping gear and food/.drinks onto our boats.                  
loading up
chez matt&Jax
                                   We had great fun kayaking along such beautiful coastline. dipping in and out of hidden coves, stopping off for lunch on a secluded beaches, only accessible by Kayaks. It was tough going when the wind got up and made some decent waves to paddle through, and were were very relieved when we made our final stop for the day on Tonga quarry beach, where we would camp for the night.
wine cooling in our 'fridge'
the gang getting ready for dinner
happy b'day Jax
By now, the others had cottoned on to Jax's birthday, and the atmosphere became quite party-like. Darryl set up tables, and cooked a curry and rice, followed by sticky toffee puds, a makeshift birthday cake with candles- and plenty of wine and beer to go around .
it was great camping on the beach, we were all aching and tired from kyaking, slightly tipsy,with full bellies and crashed out in out little tents!                                   
sunrise




 Morning time- and we were greeted by birdsong, and a glorious sunrise. Our shoulders had a good rest, and we ready for the second day. a fantastic breakfast of warm muffins, cereal, fruit and yoghurt and filter coffee set us up for the day. (we still don't know how we managed to bring so much food and drink!)
Today the sea was  forgivingly calm and we spent a lot of time in peaceful lagoons, spotting sea birds, sting ray, fish and seals!
                            
                                                

 My best birthday ever- thanks Matt- xx!
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