Keiteriteri

Today we found paradise.  We are in Abel Tasman national park.   Keiteriteri is very much like what we remember about Thailand except the water temperatures are not quite as hot.  We arrived at this orange sandy beautiful beach at 10:00 and played there and walked across rocks to little Keiteriteri beach until 3:30 enjoying the sights and swims.  I collected shells and sea glass as the boys splashed and swam.  We met a fellow cobourg family who are also on a three month tour.  The woman is a teacher and knows some of our mutual friends. Their last name is Drew, hers is Karen Drew. What a crazy coincident.

We went on a little drive to the iconic Split Apple rock.  This is a granite rock.  This coastline is all granite that is approximately 135 million years old they say. Granite splits along natural fault lines, then breaks down to form golden Quartz sand beaches. We hiked along these gorgeous beaches until we found a secluded little beach.  It was stunningly beautiful.  White sand, hidden coves fringed by lush native forest and caves to explore. The split Apple rock looks like it was next to impossible to be a natural formation, sticking out in the middle of the water.

I just realized that I have a sunburn.  My legs are starting to sting.  Being the good mom that I am, I made sure that the boys were covered and protected and only sprayed my face, arms and chest ( missed my legs!) Also, we are almost out of sunscreen so I sent Derek to buy some more. $22 a bottle for banana boat kids 50!

We lucked out with our flat.  OMG--- it is paradise.   Our home is situated in the middle of kiwi, orange,and lemon trees.  We are surrounded by gorgeous gardens and an apple orchard. the grounds are impeccable.  May not want to leave this place ( except to come home of course!).  Tomorrow we are heading out on an eight hour boat cruise which will sail along the coastline and drop us off at anchorage bay and midlands beach where we will do some hiking, swimming and swing bridges.  We will post about that later. Hope all is well.