February 24, 2016. Abel Tasman National Park

CAMPGROUND:  McKee Memorial Park. Like a county patk. Just a toilet, but clean.  Sites along the coast.  $8/night. 3 stars

LOCATION:  Near Richmond/Nelson on northwest coast of South Island, New Zealand

WEATHER:  Beautiful. Sunny. Highs in low 70s

We left our nice RV park after meeting our first Americans, a couple from Alaska.  Most of the other campers we have met are European, especially a lot from Germany.

We returned to the Abel Tasman National Park, farther into the park into the northern part of the peninsula.  About 75% of the South Island are national parks and reserves, so there is a lot of natural beauty.  This area, like all the parks, is popular among hikers.  We see a lot of backpackers and hitch hikers.

Our first stop was the "world's largest fresh water spring".  The water was crystal clear.

 

The road took us way over the mountains where there were breathtaking views of the valley and sea below.  

George was anxious to stop at Tata Beach for a photo opp.

It is a beautiful beach area, with not many people.

Lunch was fish and chips, using Southern whiting fish.  Nicely done and presented.

We drove back toward Richmond and decided to camp at this place,  it is $4 per person.  We parked right on the shoreline on an elevated area like a levy.  We relaxed in our lawn chairs, watching the tide come in.

DINNER:  Necessity is the mother of invention.  I needed to use up the remaining seafood medley, so after cooking it up, I made a curried lentil/seafood/vegetable soup.  Quite tasty!  To the store tomorrow!