Picton to Nelson --- Christmas In Nelson

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From Picton we took the Queen Charlotte drive towards Nelson. The winding narrow road followed the blue water bays and coves of the sound. The coastal road eventually gave way to a wide open valley fields and the forested lowland of rolling hills. In all it was a two or so hour drive to Nelson, our base of operation for the Christmas shuttered period.

Nelson, a highly touristed town reportedly has the most days of sunshine in NZ. We were not disappointed during our two days in town…. Perfect weather!

We arrived the day before Christmas and thought that a $5 secrete Santa shopping expedition in town would be good fun. We went our separate ways and met back up later that afternoon. For wrapping paper I was able to convince the Katmandu sales woman to lend me some packing tape and a town map that they distribute to tourists. I had the sales staff and regular customers giving me puzzling looks as I put the finishing touches on the wrap job.

We checked into Paradiso Backpackers, a highly rated accommodation billed as Club Med for the impoverished. We made full use of the pool, hot tub and lounging areas on the grounds. The place was packed with other travelers looking for a place to hold up during Christmas.

Christmas day we went to a local beach for some sun and swimming. Jen received one of the nastiest sunburns I’ve ever seen and Marcos collected a half dozen sun bleached crabs; which he secured to the car’s dashboard. Picture driving down the road with these four crabs staring back at you and their inverted reflections on the windshield dancing right in you line of vision. This was my experience every time I took the wheel.

On Christmas day Paradiso made a Christmas dinner for $12 per person. We lost track of time or fell asleep waiting for the dinner and by the time we arrived in the kitchen we’d nearly missed the whole affair. Dessert (Pudding for Steph) was to be plain brownies, but those never materialized. Instead we made our own chocolate chip cookies from the box. The oven we were cooking with was temperamental and we were distracted, needless to say the first batch of cookies were well on their way to becoming barbeque briquettes. Nothing that a little milk couldn’t resolve.

We tried to find some cream to treat Jen’s burns, but the shops were closed. So we got creative and lived off the land. As dusk settled we went out in two groups to forage through the neighbors’ yards looking for aloe plants. Our group found a large aloe plant and helped ourselves to a dozen or so leaves. I’m sure the plants owner never will notice the difference.

Another two days down, Able Tasman to come.

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Photos

Picton
Taken just outside our hostel – Juggler’s Rest

On the Queen charlotte Drive
One of many spectacular views of the Queen Charlotte Sound.

Looking up Nelson's Main Street -- Trafalgar Street
The bell tower in the distance is a lovely little Cathedral (Christ Church).

Poker Night
We were desperate for chips so we substituted coloured M&M’s. Despite their advertising M&M’s do melt in your hand, especially while drinking. From left to right: Sarah, Donavin, Jen, Marcos. Note: we look pretty healthy here. See one of the last group photos in a later blog for comparison purposes.

Secret Santa comes an knocking.
Me and my Maori Warrior Soap.

Beach at Nelson Where We Went Swimming and Sunbathing.
Jen received her nasty sunburn here, one of the worst I’ve ever seen.

Comments

[Bill]

Great road trip!