To travel from the North Island to the South Island, there is a 2.5 hour ferry ride that takes you throught the Cook Straight. Decided to buy a bottle of local red wine for the trip (hey, why not? Wine here is inexpensive and supports the local economy). It's a scenic ferry ride and the weather was perfect for it (although it gets incredibly windy through the straight). In fact, Wellington is named "Windy Welly" by the locals. 
You never lose site of either island because they are quite close together. Entering the South Islands throught the Marlborough Sounds is beautiful. It's a series of small islands, cliffs and rolling green hills that the boat navigates through. You arrive in Picton (a small fishing village).
You never lose site of either island because they are quite close together. Entering the South Islands throught the Marlborough Sounds is beautiful. It's a series of small islands, cliffs and rolling green hills that the boat navigates through. You arrive in Picton (a small fishing village). The map showed two routes to get to the next town of Nelson; one goes straight across and the other takes the inland 'highway' and around. We decided to attempt the straight across (shortest distance, right?). It was an incredibly windy road that went up and down along this sheer cliff! MacKenzie was driving since I had been enjoying the wine on the boat. 
It probably took about the same time as the highway but it was much more scenic. It was low tide for the drive. The bays were all muddy and the boats were dry-docked in the mud. It was cool to see.
It probably took about the same time as the highway but it was much more scenic. It was low tide for the drive. The bays were all muddy and the boats were dry-docked in the mud. It was cool to see.We arrived in Nelson and checked into a hostel that we read about called "The Palace Hostel". It is a huge old Victorian house perched on a hill overlooking the small town. Very funky inside, with artwork, antiques, books and painted with bright colors. Sort of like an old hippy commune (which is how Nelson is sometimes described). 
One of the guests staying there was walking the shore at low tide and came upon these HUGE mussels (6-7 inches)! He called them 'prehistoric' and the sweetest he had ever tasted. We built a fire in the outside BBQ and roasted them. Delish!
One of the guests staying there was walking the shore at low tide and came upon these HUGE mussels (6-7 inches)! He called them 'prehistoric' and the sweetest he had ever tasted. We built a fire in the outside BBQ and roasted them. Delish!We walked to the DOC (Dept of Conservation) office and made our booking for the Abel Tasman Coastal Track...starting tomorrow morning...
1 comment:
ubie,
Mrs. Ambrose here from the burg...the kids and I have been reading your blogs and checking out the pics. This is so cool!!!!!
Bye for now
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