Stilwell Bay - Abel Tasman National Park

We had a very big day today. At 9.am Margaret, Rachel and friend Lynda set off by Sea Shuttle to Bark Bay in the Abel Tasman National Park. I drove over to Marahau where I caught a water taxi at 10.30am to Anchorage in the ANTP. Steve, Ian and Emily met me as I disembarked and showed me to their campsite. I had a great time there, socializing, drinking coffee, swimming and eating my packed lunch. Meanwhile Margaret and Co tramped from Bark Bay to Anchorage. They had to take the high tide route which took longer. They sidetracked to the famous Cleopatra's Pool in the Torrent River as well. We were amazed when they arrived at the campsite an hour sooner than we expected. All three are very fit. They gave me a half-hour head start to trek south to Marahau. Phew.... It was extremely hot climbing the hill out of Anchorage. The fit and fast trio finally caught up with me on the track above Stilwell Bay pictured here. We made it out of the Park around 6.30pm and enjoyed rewarding ourselves with refreshments at the famous Park Cafe. We picked up our vehicle from the Aquataxi Centre and finally got back to Kaiteriteri. The fit trio had walked 26kms! I walked 15kms. We should all sleep well tonight.