“Roughing it” without the suffering
by Julie Paterson of Venus Adventures – Global trips for Women
| As the days begin to stretch before us again, rather than shrink into the dark, then it might be time to plan a little summer adventure for yourself. Nothing too strenuous, but one that will leave you with that satisfied buzz of having achieved something new. I bet those “bingo wings” haven’t had a work-out in a while – why not consider a sea-kayak trip?The great thing about sea kayaking is you can carry good food and tasty après-kayaking supplies. After all, you are not humping it on your back in a heavy pack. And rest assured, even after all that arm exercise you will still have the strength to lift a glass of sav blanc to your lips at the end of the day. Now who can argue with that!
It is not true that if you sea kayak for more than a day your arms will unwind out of their sockets and fall off. It is however true that sea-kayaking is one of the most civilized adventures you can have. |
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You’ve earned it after a day of paddling up the coast. Sea kayaks have space for those extra little luxuries that you would not dream of putting into a pack for fear of not being able to lift it off the ground. Steaks, vino, a book, real coffee – yes this is the life! You will fall asleep with the sound of the Morepork cooing from afar in a Punga tree. Wake to the sound of the dawn chorus as the sun kisses your tent. After a hearty breakfast cooked on the camp stove, the kayaks are packed and dragged into the water. Ready to launch and paddle in the calm of the morning sun before the sea breeze gets up! |
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| Your day consists of meandering your way along the coast, past beautiful rock formations and into tranquil lagoons.Visit islands where NZ fur seals will keep you entertained with their washing rituals and shy little Blue Penguins dart off when they see you…
No, it’s not Fiji, it’s in your backyard, if you live in New Zealand! If you don’t it’s another one of New Zealand’s magic spots. One of the best places to sea kayak in New Zealand (and the world) is the Abel Tasman National Park, just for it’s sheer variety of landscapes – beautiful sheltered bays, dreamy lagoons, golden beaches and emerald islands. Arriving at your next pre-booked campsite you set up your home for the night, refresh yourself with a swim, and then spend the afternoon on a bushwalk, reading or chatting with those interesting foreign tourists who have parked up next to you. |
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Before you know it, it’s once again time for some après-kayaking hors d’ouvres and wine, which has been chilling in the stream at the campsite. The only thing missing is the masseuse, (but if you are lucky you might find a strapping young foreign one at camp!)
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