Fantail Bay

Darkness was starting to set in, so when we eventually got to the Department of Conservation (DOC) managed Fantail Bay, DJ set about pitching our new tent - which took a wee while considering it was the first time he'd ever done so and it was quite dark! As penance for bullying Tali into continuing on the trip when she felt so sick, she let him pitch unaided while she huddled up in the car. Actually, she was really too sick to do much anyway but wait until the tent was ready. Despite a really loud bunch of obnoxious, inconsiderate pissheads yelling and blasting their music late into the night, the minute we got into our sleeping bags, we were out for the count.

Waking up the following morning, December 28, to the sound of birdsong and DJ making toast on the gas fire, Tali was finally able to appreciate the beauty of our campsite. Looking across the small site, we saw one of the cutest images we'd seen in ages. A middle-aged couple, consisting of a Maori man and pakeha (of European origin) woman were sitting down outside their tent. The man was brushing the woman's hair and braiding it into a long plait. It was the most gorgeous sight! Totally made me think of those M.I.L.K. photography collections!