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Nov 12
Sun

Celebration of the senses in Marahau

Heading for Marahau, the gateway to Abel Tasman National Park! Coming from Tophouse Rd we turn onto SH6, then in Richmond onto SH60 along the Tasman Bay. Shortly before we arrive at our destination we take a break in Motueka, a lovely lively small town. They even have an organic shop with a cafe (coming from SH60 quite at the beginning of the town, on the right), where we have a yummy cappuccino and buy some bread. We also buy some grocery in the supermarket because it's the last one before Abel Tasman NP. Behind the visitor centre is a market with fresh food, flowers, clothes and a lottery. The Hot Mama's Cafe (on the right side of High Street) offers Sensational Carrot Cake. The piece is big, nutty, creamy, ... – lush! The best carrot cake I've ever had. In addition to that they play good music and you can flop onto the sofa – what I really appreciate after this piece of cake ;-) The Hot Mama's offers further nice food and seems to be quite popular.

MotuekaLotsa lucky numbers on the market in Motueka

For our stay in Marahau we've already picked out the Old Mac Donald's Farm. There are llama and alpaca on the fields on both sides of the long driveway. Pūkekos and other birds stalk around on the large green property. We can choose a site, there's enough place. The sites are spacious and surrounded by shrubs and small orange trees, some blossoming with an intensive scent, others bursting with ripe fruits. In addition to that fuchsias, pongas, a little stream. The facilities in the middle look like Robinson Crusoe's hut.

Marahau is located at the Sandy Bay and this is the first one of the golden beaches. It's low tide, the sea far far away, and the sand quite wavy. In the shallow leftover water paddle little crabs and blue starfishes. White-faced Herons are on the hunt, standing fixedly on their long thin legs in the wet sand, waiting until they snatch at something fast as lightning. It's something like tropical tideland, I hardly can describe, am over the moon with it. Just watch the pictures. Needless to say, it looks much more beautiful in real life.

MarahauThe golden Sandy Bay in Marahau · more Abel Tasman NP pictures more pictures

Close to the beach starts the Abel Tasman Coast Track. Directly besides Park Cafe, where we go for a beer and a snack after the beautiful walk on the beach. I have a delicious avocado salad with grapefruit marinated smoked fish. Today is a celebration of the senses.

Sigh.

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