Melissa Kayaked.

Today we went kayaking in Kaiteriteri. An area just North of Nelson and just outside of Abel Tasman National Park. We woke up early and the weather was perfect for kayaking. Not too sunny so that we get dehydrated or sunburnt, and not so windy that it would bring the waves up making the boat unstable. We got there early, and since we didn't have breakfast, we stopped at a gas station for some of New Zealand's famous meat pies. They seem to love meat pastries here for some reason. We got to the beach early so we waited in the car and took in the scenery while munching on our breakfast. (More on meat pies and meat pastries later on.)

Around the time we were supposed to meet the guide, we walked up to the kayak staging area where we met a crazy wide eyed Aussie who offered us some sunblock and set us up with a guide and a group of 7 other adventurers. To say that this guy had a lot of energy would be putting it mildly. The excitement almost knocked us over. He assigned us a guy nicknamed "Tazzy" who was yet another wide eyed crazy Kiwi born in Auckland raised in Tasmania and transplanted back into the New Zealand Nelson area. He had the same energy and intensity as the dude managing the register. Imagine the Crocodile Hunter with a goatee, dressed in hippie clothing with 10 times the intensity and a great sense of humor and that was our guide.

We got all our gear ready and warmed up by twirling the paddles around on our heads. (As instructed.) This was Melissa's first time on such a craft so it was good that he went over some safety pointers before we were on our way.

Probably can't take you on our exact route, but we basically paddled out to the far end of the bay, cut across, and then followed the coast to Split Apple Rock. It's a gigantic boulder in the middle of a small cove that's been split in the middle and is opened up upwards like a clam. They say long ago it was struck by lightning and the thing split in half.

After hanging out on the beach in front of this thing for a while, we got back in the kayaks and headed back along the coast to home base. When we got back we took pictures. When they're up you'll probably see them here.

Tired from our long journey, we drove back to the hotel. We paddled through lunch so we were hungry too and decided to walk into town to try and find something to eat. Did you know that on Sunday, everything is closed by noon around here? We ended up eating food court Chinese food at the local mall. :P bleh.

Side note: We've noticed that in New Zealand, especially in the Nelson area, it's perfectly acceptable to walk around barefoot... EVERYWHERE. Even in the rain. Grown men, little boys, actually mostly men, some girls just walking around everywhere with black, cracked, nasty, calloused, nasty, disgusting, gross, nasty, well... you get the point, feet. Moving on...

After achieving a satisfying food coma, we went back to the hotel for a nap. A long nap. By the time we woke up, it was dinner time so we went into Nelson and had dinner at a pub called Lambretta's. I had a veggie pizza and Melissa had some local scallops drowned in a really rich, creamy white wine sauce.

Side note #2: We've also noticed that around here, they don't bring the check to your table?! It's pho house style where you have to walk up to the register and pay for your food. Or you order and pay at the bar before your food comes to you.

After dinner, it was already 10 o'clock! So we went back to the room to get some rest before the drive to Kaikoura.

Wiper count: 28 and 1 (Melissa still hasn't been driving.)