Wellington Ferry Dock
Below, you can see the gangway in the foreground, while the suburbs of Wellington can be seen in the background.
Interislander Ferry Dock, Wellington, NZ
I had often wondered how it was that a big ship could tie up along a wharf without incurring any damage to her hull. Below, this seemingly insignificant mystery is explained. Notice the multiple layers of bumpers along the pier?
Ferry Dock, Wellington, NZ
Below, we get a more detailed look at the shock absorption system employed.
Interislander Ferry Dock, Wellington, NZ
10:30 AM, and we're underway, headed for Picton, on the South Island. Although at their closest point, the two islands are only separated by 24km, it is a 92km ferry ride from Wellington, on the North Island, to Picton, on the South. Two things were necessary for the ferry dock on the South Island; 1, that it be easily reachable by both car, big rigs and trains, and 2, that the depth close to shore be sufficient to allow for the drafts of the ferries as well as the various cargo vessels. Picton is the area that happens to fit the bill. The crossing took approximately three hours.
Departing Wellington for Picton on the Aretere Interislander Ferry
Wellington, NZ
I couldn't find an interesting photo of Wellington other than this shot of some of the buildings just outside of the downtown core.
Last shot of the North Island, Wellington, NZ
The first photo of the South Island is suitably windy and overcast, as it would be for much of our time here. Sadly, I was unable to keep my lens dry in the rain, or I would have had better luck getting more dynamic shots of this awesome looking sailboat ride among the rocks leading to Picton.
Just off the southern shores of Arapawa Island, along the ferry route, South Island, NZ
Salmon Farm, I'm guessing, in Te Iro Bay, just off the southern shore of Arapawa Island.
South Island, NZ
The ferry ride to Picton was full of many twists and turns, (twists and turns in New Zealand? No!), taking three hours--1:45 of which was in amongst the Sounds of the South Island. Below you can see it looks like we're land locked.
Looking astern on the Ride southward to Picton
Te Rua Bay in the distance, while Te Weka Bay, I'm guessing, is the closest on the right.
Another shot astern, as the other Interislander Ferry, the Kaitaki, heads north just as we arrive at Picton.
Tiny Mabel Island can be seen in the foreground on the left, as the other Interislander, the Kaitaki, has just made its starboard turn to navigate past Karaka Bay.
Picton, NZ
The sign says it all.
Picton Harbour, NZ
Interesting looking sailboat with big port holes, lots of freeboard, and Picton in the background.
50 footer, Picton Harbour, NZ
Below are some shots of the boats in Picton harbour
The Aretere steaming north to Wellington, stranding us on the South Island.
Picton, NZ
We took this shot of Queen Charlotte Sound after travelling around it for 45 minutes on another one of New Zealand's awesome twisty roads! To the right is the Mahakipawi Arm which cannot be seen, while stretched out before you is Hood's Bay up close, all the way to Ohinetaha Bay in the far distance.
Queen Charlotte Sound, from just east of Havelock
A shot of Havelock from the same spot.
Overlooking Havelock, Queen Charlotte Sound, NZ
Another shot of Queen Charlotte sound
Qneen Charlotte Sound, NZ
Below you can see our New Travelling Companion. In order to keep costs down, the rental car companies have you leave your car in Wellington and pick up another in Picton upon your arrival. Below, you can see that the Pajero has been replaced by a Toyota Land Cruiser, Prado. There were many things we liked abut the Pajero--more luggage space and better rear seat passenger comfort, as well as a larger,more powerful motor--but the Toyota is easier to control at speed, with a wider seat for the driver (CRUCIAL!), with better shock absorption for all passengers. All-in-all, it's a toss up, with the larger motor in the Pajero tipping the scales in its favour slightly.
Colleen Cal, and Cailin in front of our ride.
Queen Charlotte Sound, NZ
Our destination for the night; Motueka Top Ten Holiday Park. This place was immaculate! You can see our first night's cabin with the drapes partially drawn.
Motueka Top Ten Holiday Park
It's got a POOL!
...and a JUMPING PILLOW!
Colleen and the kids jumping/getting bounced at Motueka Top Ten Holiday Park
Motueka, NZ
Giggles abound, as things go out of control!
Cailin, Colleen & Cal, jumping up a storm
Motueka, NZ
One of the funny maintenance cars they used
Nicely painted Top Ten Holiday Park car
Motueka, NZ
Our first night we got to stay in this palatial mansion...
While on the second night, we cheerfully shoe-horned ourselves into these accommodations. The staff was very nice, in that they hauled all of our gear from Cabin 34 to cabin 5--at no extra cost! Thanks for the help, guys! Awesome staff at this park!!
Motueka Top Ten Holiday Park, Motueka, NZ
Our busy day over, it was time to settle in and enjoy the pleasant aromas of the flowering trees.
Everything in this park was mapped out to a "T". They even provide horticultural info on all of their trees! THAT's paying attention to detail! Cheers, guys!
Nameplate, Motueka Top Ten Holiday Park,
Motueka, NZ
Goodnight from Motueka, everybody!
Below, you can see the gangway in the foreground, while the suburbs of Wellington can be seen in the background.
I had often wondered how it was that a big ship could tie up along a wharf without incurring any damage to her hull. Below, this seemingly insignificant mystery is explained. Notice the multiple layers of bumpers along the pier?
Below, we get a more detailed look at the shock absorption system employed.
10:30 AM, and we're underway, headed for Picton, on the South Island. Although at their closest point, the two islands are only separated by 24km, it is a 92km ferry ride from Wellington, on the North Island, to Picton, on the South. Two things were necessary for the ferry dock on the South Island; 1, that it be easily reachable by both car, big rigs and trains, and 2, that the depth close to shore be sufficient to allow for the drafts of the ferries as well as the various cargo vessels. Picton is the area that happens to fit the bill. The crossing took approximately three hours.
Wellington, NZ
I couldn't find an interesting photo of Wellington other than this shot of some of the buildings just outside of the downtown core.
The first photo of the South Island is suitably windy and overcast, as it would be for much of our time here. Sadly, I was unable to keep my lens dry in the rain, or I would have had better luck getting more dynamic shots of this awesome looking sailboat ride among the rocks leading to Picton.
South Island, NZ
The ferry ride to Picton was full of many twists and turns, (twists and turns in New Zealand? No!), taking three hours--1:45 of which was in amongst the Sounds of the South Island. Below you can see it looks like we're land locked.
Te Rua Bay in the distance, while Te Weka Bay, I'm guessing, is the closest on the right.
Another shot astern, as the other Interislander Ferry, the Kaitaki, heads north just as we arrive at Picton.
Tiny Mabel Island can be seen in the foreground on the left, as the other Interislander, the Kaitaki, has just made its starboard turn to navigate past Karaka Bay.
The sign says it all.
Interesting looking sailboat with big port holes, lots of freeboard, and Picton in the background.
Below are some shots of the boats in Picton harbour
Picton, NZ
We took this shot of Queen Charlotte Sound after travelling around it for 45 minutes on another one of New Zealand's awesome twisty roads! To the right is the Mahakipawi Arm which cannot be seen, while stretched out before you is Hood's Bay up close, all the way to Ohinetaha Bay in the far distance.
A shot of Havelock from the same spot.
Another shot of Queen Charlotte sound
Below you can see our New Travelling Companion. In order to keep costs down, the rental car companies have you leave your car in Wellington and pick up another in Picton upon your arrival. Below, you can see that the Pajero has been replaced by a Toyota Land Cruiser, Prado. There were many things we liked abut the Pajero--more luggage space and better rear seat passenger comfort, as well as a larger,more powerful motor--but the Toyota is easier to control at speed, with a wider seat for the driver (CRUCIAL!), with better shock absorption for all passengers. All-in-all, it's a toss up, with the larger motor in the Pajero tipping the scales in its favour slightly.
Queen Charlotte Sound, NZ
Our destination for the night; Motueka Top Ten Holiday Park. This place was immaculate! You can see our first night's cabin with the drapes partially drawn.
It's got a POOL!
...and a JUMPING PILLOW!
Motueka, NZ
Giggles abound, as things go out of control!
Motueka, NZ
One of the funny maintenance cars they used
Motueka, NZ
Our first night we got to stay in this palatial mansion...
While on the second night, we cheerfully shoe-horned ourselves into these accommodations. The staff was very nice, in that they hauled all of our gear from Cabin 34 to cabin 5--at no extra cost! Thanks for the help, guys! Awesome staff at this park!!
Our busy day over, it was time to settle in and enjoy the pleasant aromas of the flowering trees.
Everything in this park was mapped out to a "T". They even provide horticultural info on all of their trees! THAT's paying attention to detail! Cheers, guys!
Motueka, NZ
Goodnight from Motueka, everybody!
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