Feb 10, 2023 Wellington & Ferry to South Island

In the morning, we checked out of the City Life Hotel, loaded the Kia with our stuff and then left the car parked (for free) so we could do a walking tour of the downtown Wellington. We originally had a morning departure on the Interislander Ferry to the South Island but the Ferry Co. bumped us to the afternoon boat due to one of the Ferries having an accident the day before and was out of commission. 

We found the Wellington Waterfront Walk and saw some impressive buildings and statues. The girls continued their search for souvenirs. New Zealand doesn't believe in promoting itself with cheap teeshirts and trashy trinkets. We found a few items with NZ on them. 

We are sad to leave the North Island, we have loved all of it. It appears to be a good time to leave because Cyclone Gabrielle is fast approaching the upper North Island, where they are just recovering from the torrential rains and flooding they experienced a few days before we arrived into the country. 

Even though the language is English in NZ, we have learned some new terms for items. When we ask for Ketchup, they bring us Tomato Sauce. Kia Era means Good Day. Coolers are Chilly Bins, Grocery carts are Trundles, Happy Hour is Tipple time.  Bars didn't carry limes or lemons. Eggs are scarce. The restaurants we visited did not serve Salsa. Most establishments didn't have air conditioning and they don't use screens on windows because they don't have bugs. Their Coffee service is European. The names of their establishments are a tad different too. 

Our Ferry, the Aratere, departed @ 3:45 PM, we dropped our KIA off right at the Ferry Dock, which was very convenient. The large Car Ferry took us across the Cook Straits from the North Island to Picton on the South Island. Because of the inconvenience of changing from the morning ferry to the afternoon, our Pure Journeys Touring Company arranged to upgrade us to the Premium Plus Lounge. We had no idea what to expect. We were rewarded with VIP treatment. When we boarded, we were given wristbands for the Plus Lounge and then directed to a closed door seating area where we were met with Mimosa's and led to our 6 comfortable upholstered chairs facing each other with 2 coffee tables between us. Once seated, we were given charcuterie boards and offered more drinks. Soon after, a cart with tea, finger sandwiches, sushi, eclairs & cakes were served. An hour later, dinner and dessert. It was unbelievable, the food just kept coming and it was all included, delicious with an open bar. The cruise was only a 3.5 hour ride. We were amazed at the service and quality of food and drink. There was a door in the lounge that led us outside to a semi private deck. When we weren't eating we did manage to get out to the top deck for the full 360 view of the beautiful scenery. The mountains, cliffs and water were gorgeous.  The winds were light and seas were calm with blue skies and sun. Cheryl had brought a PIB Gazette with her so we posed with a Life Ring from the boat and one of the staff took our photo. (Which a few months later, was published in the PIB Gazette.) What royal treatment we received, we are very grateful! 

The ferry dropped us off on the South Island in the city of Picton. Once we neared the South Island the scenery became even more impressive. The downside of taking the later ferry is that we arrived in Picton in the evening and still had a 3 hour drive to our next lodging. Craig had to drive and Doug navigate some curvy, hilly, narrow roads in the dark and in a new location. Craig continued his awesome driving and Doug didn't get us lost-what a  great team! The sky was clear so the stars and milky way lit our way. We arrived after 10 PM to our Ocean View Chalets in Marahau.