Friday (Nov 2), we left the North Island on the ferry Kaitaki sailing for Picton on the South Island. At 181 meters it has a capacity for 1350 passengers and 1780 meters of car lanes. Quite nice, particularly since we were booked in the Premium Plus Lounge. The Cook Strait crossing (96 km) was smooth and took only 3.5 hr. We passed some mussel farms once we entered the fjords leading to Picton. Beautiful scenery all along the channel.
Once in Picton, we boarded our awaiting coach for a short trip to Blenheim from where we will explore the Marlbourough region over the next couple of days.
Some of us visited Upton Oaks Garden, a privately owned garden rated as a Garden of Significance by the NZ Garden Trust. It was magnificent.
THE KAITAKI
WELLINGTON IN OUR WAKE
CROSSING THE COOK STRAIT
CROSSING THE COOK STRAIT
CROSSING THE COOK STRAIT
CROSSING THE COOK STRAIT
CROSSING THE COOK STRAIT
CROSSING THE COOK STRAIT
LOUNGE BAND - MY RECOMMENDATION: DON'T QUIT YOUR DAY JOB