Abel Tasman - day two of backpack



On day two we woke up in the Bunk house early! I was not feeling the love for the "Bunk House" experience. Mainly because the kids built a massive pit in the sand to trap John and I, but instead a German guy fell into it! He was totally cool about it and complimented Alex on his "skills", but we had to sleep in the same room as this dude. Um, awkward. Of course the family voted me to sleep next to him (the beds are all lined up next together). Oui.
What I did like about the Bunk House experience was the fact that we did not have to carry as much weight with no sleeping pads or tent. Also, it is nice to cook in a big kitchen with travelers from all over the world. And you know me, I like to engage with folks.
So, with only a 10K day of tramping, but we needed to cross over the next beach at low tide to shave an hour hiking. Highlights from the day include a swing suspension bridge and more gorgeous weather!
When we arrived at Bark Bay, we chilled out in the Bunk House and claimed the only single room with 3 bunk beds.  All the other hikers had to sleep in the big rooms with 20beds each together. We were psyched! ( The previous night we slept in one room with 12 strangers - snoring!) 
I zonked out for a nap and John played with the kids out in the Bay. Alex really got into building sculptures out of sand, large driftwood and shells. Ellie and John swam out into the tide coming back into the bay.

 John crossing at low tide



 suspension bridge

Bark Bay Bunk House

playing cards in the bunk house

Ellie and Dad watching the tide flow back into Bark Bay

Kids make sand sculptures with shells in the evening.

Making tea at sunset

                                                                      Gorgeous Sunset!