Time and tide wait for no man. – Geoffrey Chaucer, Prologue to the Clerk’s Tale, 1395
We had an early start this morning because we had to check in to the Interisland car ferry to Picton on the South Island. The ferry we are booked on is called the Kaitaki which brings back lots of happy associations with Kaitak airport in Hong Kong. Kaitak was a lovely airport on a human scale; so very much nicer than these immense new airports built on a colossal scale, like Dubai and Heathrow, that are making air travel such a marathon and a misery these days.
This is the first car ferry I have ever been on and on the topic of mammoth structures, you only realize just how large the ferry is when you see how many vehicles of all sizes there are, including numerous large trucks, queueing up alongside you to drive into the ferry. The loading procedure was handled in an extremely orderly and well organised way and that large number of vehicles was somehow accommodated on board. There are 9 levels on this ferry and our lounge was on the 7th level.
The lounge was pleasant and the chairs were very comfortable. They served a substantial buffet style breakfast with plenty of choice and there was tea and coffee available for the whole duration of the 92km crossing that takes 3 and a half hours. It was certainly a very enjoyable way to travel and the views from the outside decks were stunning.
Shortly after arriving in Picton, we were driving off the ferry and on our way to Nelson where we will be staying the night. The countryside is noticeably more hilly and forested and the views along the route are beautiful.
We then drove through a lot of vineyards in the Marlborough region with hundreds of perfectly neat rows of grapevines on both sides of the road.
We stopped for a quick coffee in a quaint town called Havelock that is situated at the head of the Pelorus Sound, at the mouth of the Pelorus and Kaituna rivers. State Highway 6 from Blenheim to Nelson runs through this town which styles itself as the greenshell mussel capital of the world. One of the things that is striking and very appealing about New Zealand is that it is still relatively unspoiled and very much functions on a human scale. You get the clear impression that New Zealanders are in touch with their natural surroundings and that they value and protect that natural environment. I like that!
Just after 3.30pm we arrived in Nelson and checked into the motel where we are staying tonight. The motel is owned by a couple who were cabin staff on Air New Zealand and bought the business almost 3 years ago. Their logo is the flower of a New Zealand tree in the myrtle family known by its Māori name as the pōhutukawa tree; it’s also known as the Christmas tree for obvious reasons.
After a short rest we went out for a drive in and around the town to get our bearings. Nelson is a very pretty town with beautiful gardens and lovely baskets of hanging flowers along all the streets in the town centre. We’ll do more exploring of the town tomorrow.
Michael found a vegan restaurant very close to the motel called East Street who are actually located in Church Street. We went there for an early dinner and had a delicious meal. Very good indeed! They have an interesting and extensive menu. Their decor is similarly interesting and fun.
So ends another delightful day in New Zealand. Today was the 13th day of our trip which means that we have already completed 30% of our journey and have 30 days left. Time is running!
Unhitched 