New Zealand - Picton and Nelson


Leaving the beautiful Kaikoura coast behind we made our way north through Blenheim (wine country) to Picton, which, apart from being a picturesque town in its own right, is the ferry port for those travelling between the north and south islands. We did a short hike along the harbor before driving along the twisty but scenic Queen Charlotte Road to Nelson, where we stayed for four nights. Our original plan was to stay just two but Tropical Cyclone Gita crossed over the island, prompting us to hunker down in our cosy AirBnB while we rode out the storm. This proved a wise decision. We had contemplated driving out to Golden Bay but the storm washed out the road there stranding 6000 locals and tourists for days. Back in Kaikoura they had 202mm (8 inches) of rain in 18 hours, causing landslides that buried Highway 1 in some of the same locations where they had just finished earthquake repairs. Sometimes you can’t catch a break. The city of Nelson, where we watched the cyclone roll over us, is actually one of the sunniest parts of New Zealand.


Picturesque Picton


The Marlborough Sounds


Ferries and Cruise Ships in Picton's Port Marlborough



Sign by the Picton Marina
(photo by Deborah)


Deborah's video of a mini sailboat race (or class?) as a nearby ship maneuvers into port.


More Marlborough Sounds


Here we are atop a hill known as "the center of New Zealand," as established by a survey in 1968.


Nelson Cathedral


Queens Gardens in Nelson





(photo by Deborah)


Exciting, suspenseful video by Deborah of a water wheel in Queens Gardens.


Landslide over Highway 1 near Kaikoura
(photo by NZ Transport Agency)


Fozzy Bear the cat at our AirBnB in Nelson, unconcerned about the approaching storm.
(photo by Deborah)


Your moment of zen: Deborah's video of the buzzing forest during our hike in Picton.


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