Back in Wellington

Yesterday I took the bus from Nelson on the South Island to Picton where I caught the Interisland ferry over to Wellington. The weather varied about every 10 or 15 minutes from rain to bright sunshine and every shade of grey in between. I met a bunch of fun Kiwis on the ferry and we talked all the way to Wellington. We saw dolphins as we left Queen Charlotte sound and turned toward Wellington. I always love seeing them no matter how many times it happens.

Once back in Wellington it was a grey very windy day and it was late so I checked into the Downtown hostel then went out for a couple pints. I had a good time at the pub. They all remembered my name from 6 weeks ago but my porous brain could not remember one of theirs. I need to get my brain replaced soon.

Today I need to make all my bookings for the next five days before I leave for Australia. I have three buses to book and five nights for beds. Once in Sydney I already have the first four nights booked and paid for. I will also need to get my bike boxed up and to the airport. I have that booked at a bike shop near the airport.

I was riding a bus but here are a few blurry pics from that and a few from the ferry ride too.

Back in Nelson

The rain and overcast conditions which caused a lack of visibility made me decide to hitch hike out of Takaka today. I may as well be traveling somewhere as just sitting in a room doing nothing. I left my farmstay early and hitch hiked back to my hostel in Nelson in only one ride after waiting about five minutes. The driver that picked me up was a retired painter from England. He was very entertaining. The beautiful scenery along the ride was obscured by foggy wet rainy weather. Here and there the sun would pop out for a few minutes as we drove between showers but all in all in was dreary conditions.

Once at my hostel I booked my bus to Picton and my ferry ride to Wellington for tomorrow. I will spend a couple days in Wellington then catch a bus up about halfway to Auckland where I will spend a night. The next day I will finish the ride to Aukland. I just do not want to spend that many hours on a bus to do the entire trip in one day.

Here are a few crappy pics I took out the window as we flew along in the rain.

Golden Bay, Nelson area

I am currently in Golden Bay area of New Zealand. The area is known for beautiful scenery of high rugged hills and jagged coastline. Lord of the Rings used the location for filming part of the movie. Unfortunately for me the weather is rainy and overcast with very little visibility to see the sights.

I am at a very nice friendly farmstay right now but with rain in the forecast for the next three or four days. There is nothing for me to see or do here in the rain so I have decided to use the days for travel days and head back to Wellington via the Picton ferry. I will take the bus from here to Picton tomorrow then catch the ferry over to Wellington. Today I will bus back to Nelson. I have not had much luck with the weather while here in New Zealand. I have not minded all the rain that has plagued me everywhere I have gone. I have still enjoyed every single day here rain or shine.

a few pics taken between showers: