crayfish for dinner

crayfish for dinner
Originally uploaded by douglasnz.

we caught a few crayfish over the weekend - well scott did! so tasty!

early morning snorkelling

early morning snorkelling
Originally uploaded by douglasnz.

we spent lots of time with our heads under water - it was crystal clear and lots of marine life. the water just starting to chill so wetsuits needed for longer swims.

fish of the day

fish of the day
Originally uploaded by douglasnz.

cooking dinner with scotts parents on Urapukapuka island. - our tent is in the background. we were the lone campers on the island!
we ate a sumptious meal of smoked snapper, gurnard, and parrot fish.

bay of islands

bay of islands
Originally uploaded by douglasnz.

navigating with scott and miriam

navigating with scott and miriam
Originally uploaded by douglasnz.

they had this cool old book of navigational maps - i'm trying to look like i know whats going on!

sarah on the sea biscuit

sarah on the sea biscuit
Originally uploaded by douglasnz.

scott started playing the game of how fast can we go before throwing you off into the water!

rob on the sea biscuit

rob on the sea biscuit
Originally uploaded by douglasnz.

8am sunday morning we got on the water for some early morning action. scotts parents took us out water skiing and on the biscuit - what a great way to start the day!

Robertson bay

Robertson bay
Originally uploaded by douglasnz.

this was a beautiful bay with numerous lagoons - and Cher's holiday home!
the view from this lookout was so amazing!

sailing around the bays

sailing around the bays
Originally uploaded by douglasnz.

John Dory on the menu

John Dory on the menu
Originally uploaded by douglasnz.

there were no rods on board but scott did have a spear gun, so each day we donned the masks, snorkels, and flippers and went our search for dinner!

hole in the rock

hole in the rock
Originally uploaded by douglasnz.

a famous location in the area is the hole in the rock - its a pretty big rock - and the hole is large enough for a small ferry to sail through

Scott & Miriam - the captains of the boat

Scott & Miriam - the captains of the boat
Originally uploaded by douglasnz.

scott and miriam are mates from church and housegroup. they have taken us out on lots of adrenalin-filled water activities - they are so generous!
they have a 24ft yacht that we sailed around on for 2-3 days

yachting in bay of islands

yachting in bay of islands
Originally uploaded by douglasnz.

we arrived in bay of islands and sent a text to some mates who have a boat moored in the area and were stoked when they invited us out with them for the weekend!

the beautiful bay of islands

the beautiful bay of islands
Originally uploaded by douglasnz.

time to up date you all with the latest adventure! we took a couple of days off work and spent an extra long weekend in the very north of the north island - in a beautiful area called the Bay of Islands.
we are blessed with awesome weather again, and some great friends to keep us company!

Logan Browns in Wellington

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Originally uploaded by douglasnz.

Headed back over to Wellington, where we met up with some Kiwi friends we met in Bath. The lovely Nick and Sonya.

Sarah had read about a restuarant called Logan Browns which was voted best resturant in Wellington (or something) so we headed off to check it out.

Had a great few days in Wellington, despite the windy, wet weather. Also shown some very cool places to pop out to for a drink. (We loved the Motel guys many thanks!)

Sculptures

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Originally uploaded by douglasnz.

.. took it easy.

Hammocks

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Originally uploaded by douglasnz.

So generally ....

Queen Charlotte Track

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Originally uploaded by douglasnz.

Next headed back north to Queen Charlotte Sounds - stayed by the track and chilled out at a fantastic backpackers called Lochmara Lodge.

It's a place filled with hammocks, sculptures and animals - right on the water.

Kaikoura dolphin trip

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Originally uploaded by douglasnz.

It was such an incredible experience, it's an interaction a bit like playing with a dog, but with a larger creature that moves very gracefully under water.

The dolphins do play alot, jumping up, doing back flips and they are all completely wild. They just do this for fun or attention or maybe it's just boys showing off to the girls (the old dolphins do get a bit randy).

Kaikoura dolphins

Abel Tasmen. (224)jump
Originally uploaded by douglasnz.

Sadly we had to leave Matt and Amy who are great travelling companions. But we took there advice and headed south to kaikoura to go swim with the dolphins.

This did mean a 0530 start for us, but the water was fairly calm and we headed out in our wetsuits to find a pod of about 200-300 dolphins!

The boat gets you near to them all and then you snorkle over towards them.

They come swimming up to you, will circle you and swim underneath you. You are encouraged to sing or click or make any type of noise to try an attract them, which sounds pretty funny when you're back on the boat before everyone else.

Abel Tasman

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Originally uploaded by douglasnz.

So after three lovely days we reached out final beach. From here we were picked up and taken home by boat.

Seal pups

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Originally uploaded by douglasnz.

Part of the national park is a nature reserve, and the seal pups are now a couple of months old.

We found a little sheltered bay where lots of them were all swimming. As we approached four little pups came climbing up over a rock to check us out.

Sunrise start

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Originally uploaded by douglasnz.

Early start the next morning in order to catch the tide.

Amy and the mussels

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Originally uploaded by douglasnz.

One day we swam out to some rocks off the beach and found some mussel beds, with mussel shells as big as my hand.

We filled out pockets and then steamed them on the stove that night. Not bad for a free local starter for your meal.

Mosquito Bay

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Originally uploaded by douglasnz.

The coast stretches for over 30-40 km around a national park, once again you can get away from it all.

That being said there are lots of walkers who trek through the park. They use the campsites too, so it's good to go to one like Mosquito Bay (not too many bugs in fact) which is only accessible by boat.

Abel Tasman 2

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Originally uploaded by douglasnz.

They give you a map to show you all the bays and where the campsites are, you put on sunscreen, fill up your waterbottle and grab your paddle.

Abel Tasman

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Originally uploaded by douglasnz.

So next we headed up to Abel Tasman National Park. Here we hired canoes in which you can store your tent, food etc and then you paddle off around the coast on your own.

Taking it easy

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Originally uploaded by douglasnz.

Nice to find somewhere to just chill out.

So hot right now!

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Originally uploaded by douglasnz.

Free wheeling

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Originally uploaded by douglasnz.

So we hired some bikes and set off, beautiful sunny day, flat roads, vineyards everywhere and a jolly fine time had by all.

Not more wine??

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Originally uploaded by douglasnz.

This area (marlborough) is famous for it's vineyards. So we met up with our friends matt and amy and went tasting again.

Highly recommend anything from this place - Mud House vineyard.

Back to the South Island

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Originally uploaded by douglasnz.

Now we do actually work, but photos of that seem a bit dull.

I took some annual leave and we headed back to the south island, taking the ferry from wellington to the north end where we hadn't been before.

The ferry ride into the Marlborough Sounds is very pretty.

Paul's 60th Party

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Originally uploaded by douglasnz.

Sarah's boss is a fantastic guy called Paul Rose, he recently turned 60 and celebrated with a fantastic party that our fancy dress was in aid of.

If we are as fun and stylish at 60, and can throw as good a party we will be very happy.

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Originally uploaded by douglasnz.

I was going to go as a rockstar - initially thinking of Slash but then going for more of a Lenny Kravitz feel.

Psychoanalyse your hearts out!!

Wonder woman

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Originally uploaded by douglasnz.

So it's another fancy dress party (in case you wondered) and this time the theme was 'Your favorite character in the past 30 years'.

matt, amy, and rob sample Mills Reef wine

matt, amy, and rob sample Mills Reef wine
Originally uploaded by douglasnz.

wine tasting too.

amy and sarah on one tree hill

amy and sarah on one tree hill
Originally uploaded by douglasnz.

A variety of trips were made, including the famous one tree hill of Auckland and U2 fame. Sadly due to vandalism it is now none tree hill.

amy and matt come to stay!

amy and matt come to stay!
Originally uploaded by douglasnz.

The return of house guests. Matt and Amy Huey are a great couple who we met whilst travelling in Vietnam. They have been all around the world for a year and ended their travels here in NZ. So they came to stay. Lovely to have some more people to fill up the house.