Tourist Court Motel Picton

... and bye-bye Christchurch. Getting out of the city seemed dead easy now I have the one-way roads sussed and we were on Hwy 1 north in no time at all. We even had a motorway for a few miles, though it doesn't let you drive any faster than the main roads. <br><br>I kept the car moving across the Canterbury plains and we made a quick 150 km to Kaikoura, a town by the Pacific Ocean, for coffee. The rain had stopped soon after leaving Christchurch, but it had ...

After a few days sightseeing in Wellington, we booked the ferry trip accross to the south island. The Interislander has been voted the best ferry ride ever and it was really good. We had very still water, the boat didn't rock once, and the scenery was excellent. <br><br>We arrived in Picton for the afternoon and had a look around the town ...

... They also let you use their bikes for free and came and picked me up from the ferry terminal. It was pretty much the perfect hostel, and the next time I take the ferry I'm definitely going to stay a night there again. I saw a sign inside for help wanted for lodging and food, and I was sorely tempted to ask about it, but I decided to push on to Blenheim the next day in hopes of work that actually pays. Maybe I'll be back at The Villa later and can stay longer.

... in town overlooking the harbor. The Yacht Club hotel had a circular bed facing the harbor with various boats and channel markers illuminated in the distance. We played Rummee 500 all night in which I suffered a rare loss. I don't like losing and tried my best to accuse Kristin of cheating before deciding to call it a night. Unsuccessful, I awoke the next morning and stacked the deck with an Ace or ...

... bateau. Mais le clou de cette aventure fut la visite de Lochmara Lodge situé au fond d'une baie. Malgré l'aspect luxueux de l'endroit et l'aspect très ordinaire de notre embarcation, nous sommes très bien accueillis au petit quai et on nous invite cordialement à visiter l'endroit. Hospitalité Kiwi Style... Vous avez déjà vu ça vous un cormoran apprivoisé? Moi non jusque là. En mettant le pied sur le quai nous apercevons cette petite affaire qui marche au travers des gens ...

... us back to Picton. Surprisingly this section of track was quite different to the day before, through regenerating forest and therefore much more open - thankfully we set off fairly early and missed the sun's afternoon intensity. Back to Picton then for the night before heading back South to Marlborough's wineries on Thursday.

It's Tuesday. It's raining in Wellington, New Zealand. Sometimes it pours but mostly it is light sprinkles to mist to just plain damp. It must be a sign: "Go To The South Island." So, we shall. You can't take the Avis car on the InterIsland Ferry-a three hour boat ride across Cook Straight and through a bunch of islands from Wellington to the "Other" island. So, we consolidate our baggage, have breakfast, fill the North Island rental car with gasoline and ...

... 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 ...

... about. It was a bit of a shame it was getting dark so we didn't get a good look at the scenery as we approached the South Island but what we could see was stunning. It was like taking a scenic boat ride and we both really enjoyed the journey, the water was very calm. Picton looked lovely as we sailed into it, it was dark and the lights of the town looked all twinkly from the deck. I was a bit worried we might get lost in the dark trying to find the campsite ...