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Published: December 21st 2006
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Beautiful Marlborough Sounds
This was the bay we started our kayak trip in. Well here it is another blog. I've been off exploring this beautiful country again and this time headed out of the North Island. On Friday after work Rachel, who I met through the volunteer program, and I caught the ferry from Wellington to Picton. The evening was beautiful if a little cold and the sailing was calm. Glad of this as my stomach is not the best on the seas and I've heard crossings between the islands can be very hairy.
We arrived in Picton by sailing through the beautiful Marlborough Sounds. The scenery is stunning and the little coves are so picturesque. There are homes in the coves that you can only get to be boat and you cannot imagine how peaceful it all is. Although of course they do get the huge ferry heading past about 10 times a day. Luckily the passage is quite wide so there is little disturbance. In Picton we were met by a very friendly American who delivered us to our hostel. We were staying at the Sequoia Lodge, a small blue wooden hostel a little way out of town. The hostel had a bubbly pool that I was very excited about getting into.
Steve's finger on the map of the area.
Barb took this piccie, i thought she was mad at the time but it actually works well. It also had the second most comfortable hammocks I have ever climbed into. The first being my sister's hammock!
Rachel and I wrapped oursleves into the hammocks and took on the resembalance of hanging bananas. Then we collapsed into our beds exhausted. We were due to head out at 8am the next morning so needed an early night.
Kayaking the Sounds
Early the next morning dressed in shorts, I know my legs got a bit of sun! We made our way to the offices of Wilderness Adventures. When we got there we met Steve who would be our guide for the day in the kayaks. We signed our life away and leapt into the van. Oh, no another van. However this one was incredibly comfortable and had proper seats! GVN take note! We drove past a logging site where there was an amazing amount of lumber. Steve told us that logging was the 5th largest industry in the South Island. I can't remember what the other industries were but I'm sure tourism was amongst them. We pulled onto the side of the road for the obligitory photo shoot over the sounds. Then headed down to our put
in point.
We unloaded the Kayaks, bright yellow, and had our safety briefings. We then donned the most attractive spraydecks and pushed the kayaks into the sea. It felt strange to be heading into the sea as the surrounding area was so enclosed by the hills and bays that it felt like we were inland. The only pointer was that the water was salty. After paddling around the first bay we headed out. The sun was streaming down but the wind was gusty. When we were in the bays we were fine but when trying to cross the Sound the wind was definately not friendly. At least Rachel could steer, a job Adrian found incredibly difficult. I guess I should mention now that we had met up with two friends from the program in Picton Adrian and Barb. They had gone down on the Thursday, lucky things didn't have to work, and had been walking the gorgeous Queen Charlotte track. (Mum we are going to have to do this).
Whilst heading around the bays Steve called us over to him and pointed out a large grey thing in the water. It was an eagle ray sunbathing. This was the
View over the bow of the Kayak
Not sure if it is called the bow in a kayak but it is a boaty word! first of about 15 we saw during the day. They were amazing especially when they started flapping their fins, if that is what you call them.
Rachel and I swapped places after a delicious lunch, where a duck tried his hardest to run off with my sandwiches,and I got to stear the Kayak, or canoe as I kept calling it. Steve got very annoyed everytime I did this! UPPS! Steering is an artform that takes a little getting used to. You have two pedals by your feet and these control the rudder. There is also two cords that need to be pulled at intervals to lower and raise the rudder so it doesn't get bashed on the bottom. All very complicated. I eventually got the hang of it all and only bashed into the other kayaks a couple of times.
The afternoon was a gentle paddle back across the sound and my arms were glad it was not too strenuous. Then load up the trailer and back to town. It was a fantastic day and I loved just being down at water level seeing all the amazing scenery.
Back in town Rach and I headed back to our lovely
little hostel and made straight for the bubbly pool. It was devine, apart from when the cover decided to blow straight onto my head. Then we met back up with Barb and Adrian at a Scottish pub named the Flying Haggis. It is owned by a really friendly couple from Aberdeen. They had only just moved in so there were patio chairs and tables everywhere. But the beer taps worked and that was all that mattered. We had been dreaming of curry all day and found a lovely little Indian restaurant where we gorged ourselves. Adrian, being a big swiss guy, needed more sustinance so then had pudding in another cafe. Honestly, I think I will know every cafe in New Zealand soon.
After our fill we headed back to the hotel to watch Big Fish, four in the double bed where we all fell asleep. Rach and I pulled ourselves back into the cold for a quick walk home and were all asleep by 10.30!
Mini Golf
Anyone who knows me will know of my love of mini golf and it was with some pleasure that I found they had a course in Picton. After a brief
visit to the aquarium, some very large bellied sea horses and a very scary looking giant squid, Rach and I pitted ourselves against the golf course. Rachel's 25 strokes to pot one ball was impressive and I especially liked the theming of the Sounds hole, where you had to hit the ball over a range of bumps.
After lunch we headed back onto the ferry where we sang Christmas carols, very strange in the sun and again didn't see any dolphins. Shame! Back to Windy Wellington and work.
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