Kaikoura

After we left the Sea Kayaking place we stopped back in Nelson for a Quick Lunch, but Jeff had to go to the hospital for his foot so we hung out there for a few hours. Then it was on to Kaikoura. The drive down was a little stormy but really cool cuz we drove along the ocean and saw the water crashing on the rocks and huge waves! GORGEOUS! We stayed in a cool hostel right on the ocean. We had to get up at 4:30am to be ready to Dolphin Swim. I was very excited but apparently I had no idea what was coming. It was a stormy morning but they decided not to cancel it. We split into two groups and set out. I had never snorkeled before and it was kinda scary because the water was so rough. The dolphins were dusky dolphins and they were all wild. There were about 200 of them out. It was so cool. You just jump in and swim around and make noise and they come right up to you. I saw so many, but adventually swallowed to much salt water and got sick. Three of us on our boat got sea sick and when we got back we learned over half of the other boat, which was much smaller, got sick. I spent most of the rest of the day in bed not feeling to well but it was still a very cool experience.

Abel Tasman

After leaving Nelson, we were headed to Abel Tasman National Park. I got a glimse from above when I skydived! It is known to be one of the most beautiful places in the world. After a extended, long, weary "briefing" we were headed to the waters to Sea Kayak to Anchorage Campsite. The Sea Kayaking started out being a bit of work but after we took a break for some food it was better. The sea got a little rough on us so it was hard work but we got to the campsite and it was a beautiful beach. We were really in paradise. We set up camp and took a swim. That night I was sooo exhausted I went to bed at about 8pm I believe. The next day we did a short hike to Cleopatras pool. It was an area of waterfalls and a natural water slide. It was soo much fun. The water was chilly but we spent a few hours hanging out and bathing in the sun. That night I walked along the beach. There were the most beautiful stars and the ocean view was amazing and peaceful. We all forgot cards and were not the smartest on packing food so in some ways it was a rough few days but most of us had a great time. We did have one downfall, Jeff, a guy in the group, stubbed his toe and thought he broke it, it turned out there was a blister on it also that got infected and worse for him as time went on. We had to hike out and him and one of our leader, Lesley cut her foot and they got to take a water taxi back. Our hike only had a bit of uphill so that was nice then we walked along the coastline for 2 1/2 hours. It was beautiful but hiking with our packs for the first time, it was a challenge. We felt like we were going in circles and it was a joke of some sort but adventually we made out way out and got to shower!

Nelson

So after Wellington, which once again was amazing, we took a ferry to the South Island. Basically we all stayed up to late and were not excited for the early morning. Most of us slept most of the way, then we arrived and took a curvy road to Nelson, the sunshine city. We spent some time relaxing, some people mountian biked, well my visit involved a wine tour, and skydiving! The wine tour was alot of fun, all of us girls and Bjorn got cute and had a day of sampling three vineyards and one brewery. We got lots of food to try with each wine and test different flavors with different kinds of wine. Good day!

SKYDIVING!!

So we woke up the morning of skydiving, some of us nervous and some just really excited. I think I was a little bit of both. We went to the place and they had us watch a video which got us all really excited! They decided the order according to weight and it turned out I was basically last. I was crazy excited and antsy and could not stand still but the longer i waited I calmed down and we just wanted to do it!! Finally Aussie, Kate and I were called to go. We got suited up and headed for the plane. The way up lasted seemed like forever. At one point the door accidentally opened a little and my automatic thought was o jeez I could fall out, then I was like damn THATS WHAT IM HERE TO DO! AHH! haha So told us we were half way and it was like omg this is only half!! We got to 13,000 feet and I was the first to go! The camera man went out first and climbed on to the top of the plane, then i was out! It went by so fast but it was the best experience Ive ever had. Its nothing like I expected and words cant even describe the feeling, its not scary at all which I thought I would be and the view is amazing and then you just have a casual conversation the rest of the way down! We talked about bungee compared to skydiving, it was amazing!