Day 11-12 Wellington to the South Island and on to Kaikoura

Day 11 – Tuesday December 17^th 

Wellington and on to South Island

We had a booking for the ferry this afternoon. That was very good because one of their ferries lost a propeller last month and has a result they have no further vehicle capacity. We were ok as we had booked months ago but we could not mess this booking about. Hence we had to be here today and in the port in plenty of time. We were.

But first we had a spare morning in Wellington and headed for the Te Papa Museum of New Zealand. As we there before it officially opened we went to the cafe as we needed breakfast. Chef needed educating and we soon had the a la carte option of bacon butties added to the menu. For some reason he added relish but close enough. Once we were fed and caffeined we split up and headed into the galleries. Unlike the formal museum in Auckland this was a more interactive hands on sort of place. We could have spent the day there. We didn’t have a day. The highlights we saw were enjoyed. Recommended.

Soon enough we were off in the van again and checked in early for the Inter-islander ferry to South Island. The next phase of the trip had started. South Island promised very different sights.

Nice Isn't it. I didn't take this photo ;)

The ferry is one of the great ferry journeys of the world as once you have crossed the Cook Strait you enter the Torry channel and head around to Picton. Imagine cruising down a Norweigan fjord with a few screaming kids onboard – close enough. You’re there. Hmm South Island looked different. It also looked colder and damper...

I had phoned ahead to the Petrous Bridge site which is run by our friends at the NZ DOC. Assured there was plenty of space I checked if the site had a 'dump station' as the one in the city hadn’t. Unfortunately it didn’t. So why do we need a dump station. Well our self contained van has small holding tanks – one for waste dish water etc and the other for the other sort of waste water... You get the idea. We had been using an iPad app that has all camp sites listed and reviewed and has GPS link. So this was put to good use as it also lists other useful camper facilities such as the dump station. There was one just off the ferry at Picton. Whilst Sarah and I have the dump station off to a 'fine art' (if you can use that term for this activity) the idiot in front of us there off the ferry didn’t. 20 min later we had our turn. 5 minutes later we were on our way to our first campsite in South Island at Petrous bridge.

I originally forget to add this jem of a photo of the train on the ferry

The site is recommended by our friends Scott Cook and didn’t disappoint. As I write we are parked up at least a 100 yards from the nearest camper and right by the river side with some inviting swimming holes for the morning bath. Chilli was forthcoming from the galley much to the kids annoyance and we ate outside. Fortunately the insect repellent seems to be working! There is certainly no WiFi and no mobile signal to tether to either. This gets uploaded when that changes. Maybe tomorrow but this is the quiet South Island. Who knows.

Things I learned today:

• The Inter-islander ferry carries railway carriages for a seamless North-South journey by rail. Unfortunately they wouldn’t let me go and visit the rail deck L But I went anyway ;) Mmm freight train on ship.
• The South Island seems a lot damper and quieter.

Day 12 – Wednesday 18^th December – seven sleeps till Christmas

On to Kaikoura

Nice here isn't it.

We went to bed last night to the pitter patter of the first real rain we have had since we got here. We awoke to a glorious day in paradise. If there is a heaven then the river side will be like this. For any of you who have seen the latest Hobbit 2 movie – this is where they filmed the river scenes where they floated in barrels after escaping the Wood Elfs. Our only regret is we didn’t have more time to spend here. Neither did we have the time to explore the Abel Tasman National Park not so far away. Maybe we all need something to come back for. Instead we spent a happy hour jumping off the high rocks into the deep river which wasn’t

The water was even deep enough for me to do this

that cold. As soon as we were out the midges sensed the lack of repellent and came in for the feast so it was a quick dash to get re-sprayed. We then had time for a lovely cake and coffee in the camp site cafe before we departed and headed South toward Kaikoura – the Whale Watching capital of New Zealand. That’s what’s happening tomorrow.

The journey south took us through the Marlborough wine country so a couple of suitable bottles were purchased to assist in my poetic licence with this current bit of typing. The drive South along the coast was stunning as we hit the Pacific – Turquoise glory! Along the way we stopped at a fur seal colony where given the time of year it was all going on. The boys were on fine form. We had lunch on the coast too, with the seals around us. Many photos taken. Fur seals – tick!

But never mind all that while we were looking at the seals a passenger train passed - the track we seems to have followed us all the way from Waitomo and hugs the road - no fence in between. Silly son was too busy talking photos of seals and failed to get one of this great train. Why the hell have I got a flight booked from Christchurch to Auckland at the end of this when I could have gone by sleeper train with proper observation cars. Hmm sure the family will be OK flying alone.

Careful son, he bites

We arrived in Kaikoura around 5pm and opted for the full facilities camp site. Pool and hot tub, showers, washing machines (I’m told they are called) and a sit down in the evening to write this up – wine in hand. I have realised that with a week to Christmas many friends will be stressed with crap weather and no daylight. So the photo here is just for you. Right I’m off out for steak and more wine. Whale watching tomorrow...

Things I learned today:

• In the North Island they call shopping trolleys trundlers and they live in the trundler park. Here in the South they are called trolleys and I found decent bacon. Civilisation restored.