The Interislander Ferry From Wellington To Picton

Currently on my lap is Hemingway's "The Sun Also Rises" and reading  halfway through their trip to Burguete, I realised that I am very back blogged with our very own adventure in the other side of the world that is New Zealand. So I dropped the book (temporarily) and decided to start writing about some of the most memorable things that I have experienced down under. 

October was literally our last month in New Zealand so I planned our trip to the South Island like a pro. After thoroughly researching about the best possible way to get around the island, I came up with the best idea: ferry, drive then fly.

So we began our journey to the South Island with a ferry ride from Aotea Quay in Wellington. Everything went very smoothly from checking-in to finding our seat in the premier lounge. Interislander Kaitaki Ferry was rather looking old and rusty on the outside but it was not too bad in the inside. 

The premier lounge was still almost empty when we got in so we queued up for the complimentary breakfast buffet straight away. We took a good seat in the middle of the lounge  and hoped that  it would stay quiet at least until we were ready to venture outside the ship. Unfortunately, a bunch of young travellers appeared out of nowhere. Their behaviour in helping a disabled woman was rather gaudy and their voracious laugh made me really uncomfortable. We made the decision to leave the lounge and explore the ship instead. We eventually found a good spot on the top deck and we stayed there majority of the time. We only went back in the ship when it got too windy or when we needed a drink. We never went back inside the lounge as it looked uncomfortably full. 

I prayed for a good weather that day, and we were blessed with more than what I asked for. The bright blue sky and the calm water gave me the confidence that it was going to be a smooth voyage through the open waters of Cook Strait.

I got a totally different perspective of the capital as we sailed away from Wellington. Wellington is indeed very beautiful no matter which way you look at it, and I couldn't be more thankful for having lived in the city for ten months. I couldn't stop clicking my camera. We were rewarded with the most amazing views as we left the North Island behind.

In more or less than 45 minutes, I lost sight of the North Island as we entered the Cook Strait. It got really windy and cold, and the water turned a little rougher, so we made our way back inside the ship. It was perfect timing to have something to eat and get a little bit of rest.

But we didn't want to lose our spot on the viewing deck and miss the spectacular views, so we went back outside more than half an hour later and braved the cold wind.  

Suddenly, snow-capped mountains appeared on the horizon. 

I was awestruck by everything that was around me. It was a magnificent 360-degree views of rolling hills and mountains, turquoise waters, unbelievably blue skies and beautiful horizon. I was already engulfed by the whole experience and our journey to the South Island has just started.

I could sense the beauty of the South Island as soon as we entered the Marlborough and Queen Charlotte Sounds. It was incredibly breath-taking. One of the most scenic routes that I have ever taken in my travels.

More than three hours later, we finally arrived in lovely Picton.

We didn't plan to explore Picton but I am glad that we at least had lunch at the Seabreeze Cafe and Bar overlooking the harbour. Picton was pretty at first sight.

And this was the beginning of our incredible South Island adventure. :)

TIN x

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