Blogs from Queen Charlotte Sounds, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand, Oceania - page 2

Monday morning came and Raphael and I were dragging our bags through the streets of Christchurch, looking for the Wicked Campervan offices. After I very hard 15 minute walk (I am out of practice at dragging around a backpack), we found the Wicked offices. After some paperwork and an introduction to our new home for the next 17 days we were picking up some food supplies. I have no camping experience and don't have two clues on what we really need and what we don't. We fueled up and hit the road, driving the streets of Christchurch without any idea which way north really was. So after some backtracking and a friendly guy at the traffic lights who told us which way was north we were on our way. While we were driving we decided we ... read more

Late on Christmas Day, we packed up the car and on Boxing Day we headed north, bound for Anakiwa in the Marlborough Sounds. We drove SH1, following the Pacific Ocean's stunning craggy coast and stopped to eat leftovers from Christmas as a packed lunch just north of Kaikoura. In contrast to the rainy Christmas Day we'd just experienced the weather had decided to become summer again and we had a great day road tripping. We passed through the towns and vineyards of the Marlborough wine region (resisting the temptation to stop at Wineries) and then bought provisions in Havelock before driving around the edge of Queen Charlotte Sound. We arrived late afternoon at the excellent Anakiwa Backpackers in time to meet the new owners (plus dog and 12-week old kitten) and cool off by jumping straight ... read more

Wednesday, 2 December 2008 As the Captain sailed off to visit Pelorus Sound last Tuesday, I was on my way to stay with long time friends Mark and Kerry Roberts. The Captain, of course, thought I had mutinied, but all the excitement had just culminated in my need for some time out. I thought of my son Alex, a marine engineer, who goes to sea for three months at a time. I suspect that when he is at sea he yearns for the land, but have noted that when he is on land he yearns for the sea. I suspect I have similar tendencies because after a day on land, having slept well and enjoyed the company of my friends I was ready to get back on board. The Captain was busy trying to catch every ... read more

Thursday, November 20, 2008 Yesterday, after spending the morning getting email out and waiting for the washing to dry (the boat did look comical with clothing and linen festooned all over it) we went back to Tawa Bay in Endeavour Inlet to spend the night in order to give us a head start this morning. The weather forecast was perfect for moving out into the Strait and round to Pelorus Sound. Tawa Bay really has to be one of the most beautiful spots I have ever been in (and I catch my breath at many of the sights around this country). We motored in to the same mooring we had had while John was with us and spent the first ten minutes watching a beautiful red jellyfish moving past the boat. I fondly imagined it was ... read more

Queen Charlotte Track This is an easy 3-5-day hike with stunning Marlborough Sounds views. It's located at the top of New Zealand's South Island, near the harbour where the ferry comes in from the north island. I took a small taxi boat to the end of the track and hiked back toward the harbour. Besides the views, the best part was that I didn't have to carry food or luggage. There are several lodges along the track with restaurants and little shops, and the taxi boat transferred my luggage from point to point for me each day! They make it so easy for you to hike here in New Zealand...... read more