Legend Tripping

Next travel day: Wellington to Christchurch.  First, the Interislander Ferry across the Cook Strait (about 1.5 hours) then it turns east down the fjord leading to Picton (about 1.75 hours).  Keeping in mind yesterday’s blog post, with the sinking ferry in 1968 (not every passenger survived!), and keeping in mind it’s open ocean, and knowing the ferry brochure includes a whole section on managing sea sickness and safety at sea, it would be ludicrous to check the weather report for ocean swells.

We arrived at the ferry dock around 7:30, boarding was at 8:00 and we departed promptly at 8:45.  The captain reported that the swells were “under one meter” so safe to sail.  Ha!  I do not have a single picture of the Cook Strait portion of our voyage, I was hunkered down on a recliner in a hoodie, but when I did stand up, briefly, I saw plenty of waves that looked significantly larger than one meter.

 

That said, the second half of the journey down the Marlborough Sounds is Southern Gulf Islands-like in its relative calm and lush appearance.

The train to Christchurch, which is called the Coastal Pacific, was not as busy as the train on the north island, and not as long: But still long, five hours long if on time.  It starts out in woodsy marshes, travels through Marlborough (where 70% of New Zealand’s wine is grown), then hits the Pacific, and runs parallel to the ocean for about 150 kms, until turning inland, then, at the end, winding along the rivers which lead to Christchurch.  A really lovely route.  If deeply reminiscent of elsewhere.

 

I mean do you see it?  Cannon Beach, Nicklaus North, the Fraser Canyon, Herrling Island, Spuzzum?

At any rate, it was another very, very, long, long travel day.  We arrived late at Christchurch, taxi to the hotel, dropped our bags, ordered sandwiches at the bar, and were served past 9 PM.