ຈັດພີມມາ: 17.12.2017
Much faster than expected, we passed by the four filming locations we wanted to visit (it's raining, so my motivation is not that high). We make a stop in a sleepy village, have some food and drink coffee (plus, the wifi here is great).
Soon, we're almost in Wellington. The city only has expensive accommodations, and I'm not particularly keen on staying in the city, so we decide to go for a cheap campsite in Kaitoke Regional Park (so beautiful and peaceful and green and amazing and perfect and wonderful). Today, we're cooking pumpkin in white wine sauce with penne... But halfway through, we run out of gas. Luckily, we can borrow some gas from other campers, so we don't have to eat uncooked noodles.
We're not bothered by the lack of shower because the next day, we're heading early to the ferry to Picton.
The crossing takes from 9 am to 1 pm with check-in at 8 am, about 1-hour drive means waking up at 6 am. Too early for spoiled backpackers like us! On the ferry, we have breakfast and then go to the sun deck. With the big ship on the azure blue water, mountains on both sides, and hardly any houses. Once again, we realize how few inhabitants New Zealand has. After a short nap below deck, we already arrive at Picton, and of course, we have to go shopping!
The great app Campermate reveals a hotspot for stingrays, so we go to the harbor and stare fixedly into the water. We don't see anything... Disappointed, we return to the van, but what's that? Kay spots at least a 1-meter wide stingray. It seems to wave at us with its fins. WOW!
Today, we're staying in a small but clean campsite in Picton, with a pool, before we start the big South Island tour tomorrow. By the way, it's nice and warm here, and we can't resist jumping into the pool! For dinner, we're cooking spaghetti... Unfortunately, the bottom of our newly purchased pan is peeling off in small flakes, and our spaghetti is full of them...