Inter-Islander Ferry

Cook Strait, NZ

I caught the 8am ferry from Wellington to Picton. This is the only way to get between the North and South Islands without flying. The ferry ride is three hours door to door. There are ten decks in all, including three for cars and trucks, and the rest are for passengers. The 8am ferry meant I got to watch the sunrise over Wellington from the top deck (which is outside). I decided to stay on the top deck for the remainder of the trip. I only get to do it once, right?

The ride is absolutely spectacular. Sometimes you can see whales and dolphins (not today), but the scenery is stunning. It is extremely windy on the top deck while crossing the Cook Strait, but well worth it. As with all my travels, I met some people and we spoke the whole way.

The ferry drops you off in Picton, the Gateway to the South. That’s about all its got going for itself. From metropolis to small coastal mountain town in three hours. It is home to a merchant ship from the late 1400’s, the 9^th oldest ship in the world, still in existence. Other than that, it’s time to start my journey of the South Island. 

Wellington

Wellington, NZ

Wellington is my favorite city so far…

Wellington is the capitol of New Zealand. Therefore, it is home to Parliament, National Museums, and other typical capitol things. Located at the bottom of the North Island, it's like the midpoint for the country. It also happened to be ANZAC Day, which is the equivalent of Remembrance/ Memorial Day. That meant that everything was closed until mid afternoon, and there were parades and ceremonies all day that I attended.

Side note: Wellington has free wifi in the city, thus all the posts at once and another reason why it’s amazing.

I hit up the Te Papa National Museum and learned about the native Maori people of New Zealand. It is pretty much the same native story as any other country England conquered/colonized. Nonetheless, it was still interesting to hear. I also learned about the geographical particulars that make New Zealand unique (and prone to earthquakes).

From what I have discussed with locals and other travelers, Wellington is the “it” city for the moment. It reminded me of a smaller Toronto, great food, good people, and plenty of things to do.

By the way, it is also extremely windy.

Rotorua

Rotorua, NZ

Rotorua is the geothermal capitol of NZ. It sits on a crater lake from a volcano that exploded thousands of years ago. There are natural hot springs all over, which give the city a steady smell of sulfur. And since it’s at the bottom of a crater, the city is surrounded by large hills that give it a picturesque backdrop. (That’s also why this is one of the two main places for skydiving).

It also boasts Great Mountain biking in the redwood forest as well as some legendary white water rafting on the Kaituna River. The rapids here are used in the off season by international teams training for the Olympics and World Championships. I ended up doing the white water rafting, mainly because it has the highest commercially rafted waterfall in the world, Okere Falls, at roughly seven meters. The whole river had sort of an Amazon feel to it, with bush and trees rising to the sky on either side. It was hard to imagine a rainforest after driving through rolling green hills. It was a little shorter than I expected, but I still had a great time. They do offer a longer, more intense trip that’s only offered every other Sunday that I would love to do when I come back. (It’s only offered every other Sunday because the city opens the dam at those times to drain the lake)

I'm not pictured below, and the picture doesn't give justice to the size of the falls...