Jan 8: Between the Abel Tasman and Punakaiki, there are a thousand beautiful views.

Another beautiful beach...I have no idea what its name is

Today was going to be our longest day of driving, but that also meant that we were going to see a hell of a lot.  We headed out from Golden Bay first thing in the morning, so we could drive to Totaranui, the place where Vanessa and Graham would emerge from their Abel Tasman overnight hike.

After picking up Violet where we left her in Takaka, we headed to Totaranui with the plan to just get there as quickly as possible.  No stopping for pictures.  And then, New Zealand had the last laugh.  Not 20 minutes into our drive to Totaranui, we came around the corner to this:

It's hard not to feel the love when everything around you is so pretty.

This is Wainui Bay.  It is stunning.  Absolutely stunning.  Needless to say, we immediately stopped the car to take pictures and then took pictures out the window the entire time we were driving around it.

When we got to the Abel Tasman, we were greeted with even more beautiful scenery.  (How many times can I use the word beautiful in one blog post?)  The five of us started hiking in and spent lots of our walk taking pictures.

Todd sporting his "OFFICIAL HELPER" pin.

 

 

We only had to hike in for about 25 minutes before we saw Vanessa and Graham heading our way, on the lovely beach you see above.  They had a great hike and successfully timed their adventure to cross the inlets at low tide (or else be stranded).

 

After a quick stop in Takaka to feed these hungry hikers and take requisite tourist pictures (thank you, Mijin!), we drove around to our first stop on the West Coast, Punakaiki.  Just as we were almost there, we stumbled upon a perfect sunset.  Stop and take pictures?  Duh. Of course. Every single kind - scenery only, jumping, couples, group.

This is what it look like to the right.

And this was the view to the left.  Stunning.

Requisite jumping picture.  Facing the sun for cool shadow effect.

The group!  Todd, Mijin, Katie, Jim, Vanessa, Graham, and me.

Go ahead.  Say it.  Awwwwww.....

 Good night, Punakaiki.  We shall explore you tomorrow.