Off to the North Island

So first I was still in Blenheim, where it was raining anyway, so it turned into a Library gadget store day. It was a 12/10 library, everything you need, it was perfect. Oh, and in the morning I might have been at the swimming pool to dye my hair, you know I need that now and then, plus I had this strange hair color and such a bad root growth, it couldn't go on. It was quite an adventure without a mirror, but it turned out well; it's still a bit dark, but it will wash out over time. So in the evening I didn't want to sleep in Blenheim again, the parking lot just wasn't it, the restroom closes at 10 PM and you're in a city, wild peeing is difficult, so I drove a bit further towards Picton. The spot was beautiful by the river, had a lovely sunrise and then I went down to the sea. So off to Picton, where I could park for free, and went souvenir shopping with phone advice from my sister—what more could you want? Shout out to Ronja, thanks! What do you do in New Zealand when you have to wait and kill time? Right, a hike, so I did that and it was really nice with a view of the sound and the harbor, a really cute path, but unfortunately, it started to rain at the end. So it was noon, and it was time to head to the ferry. I don't know why, usually at home I'm afraid of everything, but here I'm actually not afraid of anything anymore, but for some reason, the ferry made me extremely nervous. Not scared, but nervous. Okay, it was my first ferry ride with a car, maybe that's why. At first, it was easy; check-in was super simple, they told me where to line up, lane 12, okay, got it, it was like a toll booth. Then I waited for an hour, crocheting. Then boarding the ship was also easy, no problem. I just followed the people, having no idea where to go—the ship was so, so huge. So I attached myself to a family, naturally, because dads always know where to go. It worked out, and I got what I think is the best spot right at the front by the window with outlets, I mean, what more could you want? So the 3.5 hours began, and it didn't stop raining for a second. I thought I’d treat myself, so I had coffee vanilla for the first time in ages. I tell you, I could have had 20 of those, it was legendary good. With the hot coffee, I went up to the view deck, stormy and rainy but wonderful, driving forever through the sound and then into the infinite nothingness, you could only see the sea. It was super beautiful. Then it got dark, and after 3.5 hours we arrived in Wellington. From then on, my emotions were out of control. The city looks enormous, so many high-rises, traffic chaos. I knew it wouldn't help to say ‘Carina, I know I can do this,’ in that moment it was just zero help. So I’m admitting here that I’m a fan of the three ???, just because I listened to it as a kid and it calms me, so I did that, of course. In the multi-lane traffic chaos, I drove to the camp for the night. You can imagine how happy I was to be there; I just don’t like cities, too much chaos. Auckland will be wild. Future problem.

So I honestly didn't think I would get a spot because even in winter months, everything is usually full after 2 PM, and it’s now 6 PM. But by some miracle, I got a spot, I’m so glad to tell you. So yeah, everything wasn’t that bad, I know that; I have no idea why I felt so negatively about it. The ferry was still mega nice, but somehow it just wasn't my day, but I tried my best. Here I can stay for the whole 3 days and do everything on foot or twice by bus, easy. I’ll update you after the 3 days about everything I’ve seen here :)