Heading to the South Island

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Geo: -41.5116, 173.957

Took a 4-hour ferry ride across the Cook Straight, through Marlborough Sound. It was quite an adventure. We left Wellington at 9:00 am on the 590' InterIsland Ferry. It was raining and very windy. Once we left the channel and got into open water, the wind picked up to 50-60 knots, and the seas swelled to about 10'. (The crew was walking though the lounges passing out "distress bags". Fortunately, it did not bother us and we did not see anyone hurling.)

Once we crossed the open water and headed into the channels on the south island, the seas calmed, the wind died, and the sun came out. It was a beautiful finish to the ferry ride.

Upon docking, we took a taxi/shuttle from Picton to Blenheim, passing through the Marlborough wine region. There are 150 wineries in the area, and vineyards as far as the eye could see. They claim to be the Sauvignon Blanc capital of the world!

And, I see that Virginia Tech men's basketball upset 12th ranked UVA in double overtime. Good stuff.

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