Goodbye south island... you will be missed!
Trip Start
Aug 07, 2008
1
59
79
Trip End
Ongoing
Picton,
South Island,
New Zealand
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
picton was our last stop in the south island. it usually is for most everyone since this is where you catch the ferry to the more populous, more cultural north. the Picton area is mainly known for three things. first, the ferry that carries people to/from the north island to the south. second, the Marlborough Sounds. and lastly, the Marlborough wine region; known as the new serious player in the white wine production game... savignion blanc is their big star.
the marlborough sounds may not be as dramatic as its big brothers down south (milford and doubtful), but it definitely does not play second fiddle to either of them. the most interesting thing about this area is how winding it is. for example: the sounds are about 42km in length, but the coastline is over 300km long! now imagine all the bays that this sound must have! it's incredible! there are also two very distinct characteristics about the marlborough sounds that separate it from the others. 1) the weather.... it doesn't rain nearly as much as it does in the fjordlands. and 2) no sandflies!!! well, dramatically less, anyway.
since the days were so nice, we decided to spend one afternoon wine tasting. but instead of paying $100 per person for a tour van to drive us around, or risk driving after sampling some of NZ's finest, we opted to rent and ride mountain bikes around the various vineyards! sounded like a good idea... and in fact, it was very enjoyable in many aspects, but wouldn't you know it?, the winds picked up and the horizon glared at us with the threat of rain! but the road warriors that we are, we managed to check out four or five wineries (most of which were free tastings, btw! and the ones where you pay for are like $2 or $3 per tasting set) including a microbreweries (these are becoming very popular in NZ)... let me tell you though, riding bikes into the wind in wide open plains is no easy task! an experience, "yes", but no easy task! good thing the wine tastings warmed us up!
new years eve in picton was nothing special. there was a free bbq and an open air concert on the beach, but the impression we got was that picton was a low key holiday spot for families and the near senior citizens. we went to be early.
oh, i almost forgot.... another example of kiwi generosity and friendliness! we met a couple on the ferry to the north island. they had dogs, and with eunice missing Tyson these days, she seems to make convo with almost every dog and/or dog owner these days. anyways, the couple we met were older than us, but just as much energy if not much more. they had spend the holidays in the south island riding quad bikes, chopping wood and going horseback across private farmland. we got to talking and after maybe an hour of conversation, they wrote down their names and info and insisted we come and stay with them on their farm! i know eunice and i don't exactly look like lunatic axe murderers, but to invite strangers you just met into your home?! that's not crazy, that's kiwi! incredible hospitality... we just might take them up on their offer... and don't worry, we'll post pics!
one more thing... there are fruit orchards everywhere here in north south island... we spent one morning picking berries.. although i think we ate more than we put into our basket to purchase... the boysenberries are awesome! rasberries are not my thing and eunice loved the blueberries!
north island, here we come!
Comments
I got it.
We got your christmas / new year post card. Yes, we told others that we were special. Christmas was at Brian's place...it was fun and I did fall asleep early as always. We all missed you guys. New Year party was little smaller, but fun...guys suck at playing board games against girls. We left one crab for you Byoung...I'll freeze it for you...maybe not. So, I was thinking that you should name the van...'Blue Steel' or in korean 'bru sterl.' Seems like you guys are having so much fun...wish we were there.