Summer Vacation Blog Hop

It feels weird to be writing a post about summer vacations right now when it's about three degrees and I'm sitting at my desk wrapped up in my fleecy dressing gown over my clothes….  But just because it's winter in the southern hemisphere, doesn't mean it isn't summer somewhere.  And thinking about summer might warm me up a bit!

My favorite summer vacation spot is the family beach house in Kaiteriteri.  I've been there every summer for the last eleven years (at least) and it's the place that springs to mind when I think 'summer'.

I think I've probably posted this photo before (usually when I'm going to Kaiteri), but honestly, how beautiful does it look?  Our house is not on the main beach, but back along the estuary that you can see at the left of the photo.  When the tide is up, we kayak on the estuary.  When it's going out, we like to go and hang out at 'the river' where the water gushes out toward the sea.  It's really fun to ride the current out into the open water on a boogie board or even just on your stomach.

Internet and mobile coverage in Kaiteri isn't great, so going on vacation there is a way to get way from the real world.  But it's only a fifteen minute drive to town so you don't feel like you're entirely cut off from the world.

Kaiteriteri is the gateway to Abel Tasman National Park and we like to go walking in there.  Because the whole track takes about 3 days to complete each way, we often take a water taxi to one point and then walk to another and get picked up.  Otherwise we'd end up walking the same stretch of track every time.

The water is always way warmer than it is in Wellington and it's a rare day we don't swim at least twice in the sea.  Usually only when it rains because when it rains down there, boy does it rain!  So we have a good supply of board games in the cupboards.

Basically, it's a beautiful place to go to relax.  My parents live down there for a few months over the summer and are always willing to take the kids for a couple of weeks which is fantastic for them.  And I think for my parents too...

What's your favorite vacation spot?

"My Favorite Summer Vacation Spot" Blog Hop is sponsored by Summer Reads that Thrill & Chill!

For the Linky List and Book Giveaways visit the 6 Co-Hosts:

Lexa Cain: http://lexacain.blogspot.com/

Melanie Karsak: http://www.melaniekarsak.com/

T.F. Walsh: http://www.tfwalsh.com/blog/

Vanessa Morgan: http://vanessa-morgan.blogspot.com/

Jolie Du Pre: http://www.preciousmonsters.com/

Stuart R. West: http://stuartrwest.blogspot.com/