Action at Marahau

I drove over the hill to Marahau this afternoon. The tide was coming in over the extensive sand flats but I was able to walk out to get nearer to where the water taxis were coming ashore. Marahau is a village which abuts the Abel Tasman National Park. Most of the water taxi companies operate fr0m Marahau. Because of the topography and shallow sloping beaches, at all but high tide, the water taxis are hauled on their trailers by tractors from their headquarters along the road to the launching ramp. It looks very strange to see a boat full of people, all kitted out with lifejackets being driven on the road. Once at the launching ramp the tractor heads out across the tidal flats into water deep enough for the taxi to be safely launched. Likewise, in reverse, at low tides the tractors with empty trailors trundle across the flats, through the shallow water to meet an in coming water taxi. I find it all very entertaining and extremely photogenic!
Today I captured a small group of kayakers helping to load their kayaks at the end of their day onto a special rack to be hauled ashore by the tractor. They then hung on to the rack to get a lift through the rest of the water to the shore. Terry the tractor driver was intrigued to hear that his operation might be up on the internet tonight!