Bridgend Cottage Picton

After staying overnight in the YHA Wellington, we hopped aboard the Interislander ferry bound for the south island. Thus it was, three hours later, we found ourselves in Picton. Well, we might as well have landed in another planet - there was not a cloud in the sky and the sun blistered down bestowing Per with instant sun burn. Happily, we had arrived on officially the Hottest Day of the Year. After a quick fish'n'chips on the idyllic waterfront at Picton, we jumped into ...

... Charlotte Sounds....lovely turquoise water and green hills. The accommodation here is lovely and we have our own private apartment with kitchen and everything. It's like having our own flat...and the best bit is its cheap!! We will definitely be sorry to leave here...we like our home comforts! We took a drive ...

... more spectacular. Snow-covered mountains on one side, steep Pacific breakers on the other. It wasn't long before we broke out into the sun. At about the same time we reached Ohau Point, which is supposed to have a seal colony. We piled out to take a look, nearly got blown over, but indeed there was a large colony of seals on the rocks below. You could see them, occasionally hear them, and if, like me, you got within 200 feet, you could smell them! These ...

... so much!! She then took back over the driving and we had lunch by a 'historic cemetary'. It dated back to 1850 (I think).
We next stopped to walk to Waikoneppu Springs - the worlds purest and clearest spring water! It looked very nice bubbling away. We then drove up the side of the Able Tasman Park which had lovely views of Golden Bay. I even had a paddle- it was quite chilly but nice! Our next stop was the Anatoki Salmon Farm ...

... creatures as they live at great depths and are hardly ever seen. Only females have been caught. Part of the New Zealand coast lies at the edge of a great sea shelf that drops down steeply to the Ocean floor from where this creature must dwell about 2000 leagues beneath the sea I'd say. I stayed at the YHA in the city which is a great establishment, so well run and very friendly. Got up early in the ...

... to your knees. I kept stepping on sand-dollars. Literally, everywhere I stepped was right on top of them. Are they alive?

- Learned that the Auckland area was formed from 48 different volcanoes. Climbed the tallest one twice, Mt. Eden (the volcano we were staying next to). Mt. Eden has the best view of the city (better and cheaper than the Sky Tower). Cows were grazing at the summit with us.

- Went on an unexpected Bar Crawl and found ...

... and a few favorite undiscovered spots are now too touristy, but in all, both places remain magnificent places to visit. Eighteen years ago you could not get a decent cup of coffee in NZ ( they made lattes with instant coffee) and today they seem to be able to make the best, creamy lattes anywhere (Starbucks doesn't do too well here). NZ has the best carrot cake anywhere. OOOOHH, so good! We look forward to getting home, but will miss the days filled with discovery.

Crossing the North South Divide Saturday 6th September That was the coldest windiest night we have experienced. Probably a mistake parking on the waterfront again, but it was free and quiet, admittedly the first night we had some company, but tonight we braved the conditions alone. This did not bode well for the 8am ferry crossing to the south. We arrived in the queue at 7am as instructed and after ...

... the mountain biking excursion. Picnicced in Picton on the waterfront, watching the ferries coming in from Wellington. Yet another nice little town. Next stop, Nelson Lakes, where we're reunited with our tour group, who have spent the previous 3 days tramping in the area. (Don't think that their mountain huts had hot tubs ;-) ). Had time for a 'refreshing' (i.e. freezing cold) swim in Nelson Lakes with the eels, before hitting the road again for Punakaiki.

... people in an incredible place to dive. Picton has treated me well, nice quiet little town. Nestled into such rugged natural beauty. Haven't taken too many photos lately as I've been studying up on dive theory, but I guess it doesn't matter, I don't have adequate knowledge or facilities at this point to upload them. Here real quick I will get to a computer I'll be near for the ...