TRAVEL
STRAIGHT TO THE HEART OF THE PARK Words: Jade Alborn.
I’m lucky enough to have a bunch of friends who like getting out into the great Kiwi Outdoors. This is a real advantage as I take photos and make videos for Abeltasman.com’s social media accounts. When I need to do some filming, I’ve got some ‘talent’ ready for their starring role in my footage. Sometimes that talent can be a little bit hesitant in the beginning, particularly if we’re getting an early start.
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t’s fair to say the mood on the evening before Tegan and I headed off for our Magical Marine Express kayaking trip with Marahau Sea Kayaks wasn’t exactly one of excitement. Leaving Richmond at 7:30am in order to get to Marahau at 8:30am for our trip briefing was not an inviting prospect for Tegan. Phrases like “Jade what have you gotten me into?!” and “What do you mean we have to get up at 7:00am?!” were being muttered and I wondered if an afternoon paddling mission may have held more appeal. However, as the sun rose so did Tegan’s enthusiasm and excitement for the day ahead. We began the trip by meeting our guide Suria and found that we would be joined on the trip by a French woman. As Suria organised our kayaks and gear we all chatted, and despite the language barrier, became fast friends. We were soon on our way from Marahau on an AquaTaxi up to the northern beach of Onetahuti. Our water taxi skipper provided some interesting stories and history about the Abel Tasman including showing us the world famous ‘Tree Penguins’ that roost in the trees
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next to Split Apple Rock (there is no such thing as a Tree Penguin, although many visitors have mistakenly and excitedly identified Shags/ Cormorants as penguins). By this point in the morning, Tegan was upbeat and happy to be out in the Park on such a beautiful summer day. (cont’d)
