Sunday, August 17th 2003 – Day 180
I was up a 8.40am and had a shower. My ferry was at 11.00am but you could board at 10,,am. I bought a Sunday newspaper and had coffee. I walked the 20 minutes to the Lynx Ferry terminal. This is the faster of the ferries. It is only two hours and 15 minutes. The larger ferry can be twice that. See the following site for more detail.
The Lynx offers not just a quick way across Cook Strait, but also the smoothest and the most
luxurious way!
The Lynx is equipped with a Hi Tech ride control system allowing stabilizers to react to sea conditions (minimizing roll), and a wave-piercing twin hull which adds to the stability and smoothness of the vessel.
Travel time across Cook Strait is just 135 minutes
It was an uneventful ferry crossing. We were lucky as the weather was excellent. I bad weather this ferry is the first to be cancelled. We arrived at Picton on time at 1.15. You check in your luggage like as airport but I collected mine quickly. I bought a ticket at the terminal for Nelson for 22 NZD. The buses leave from outside and mine left at 1.45pm. Talking to the bus driver it seems our ferry is usually up to one hour late. He said of late due to bad weather and choppy seas it has been up to two hours late.
Click on the picture to see it in its original size
Wellington to Picton – New Zealand – Ferry crossing (17-08-2003)
Click on the picture to see it in its original size
Wellington to Picton – New Zealand – Ferry crossing (17-08-2003)
Click on the picture to see it in its original size
Wellington to Picton – New Zealand – Picton (17-08-2003)
Nelson is 144km (89 miles) W of Picton; 226km (140 miles) NE of Westport; 424km (263 miles) N of Christchurch. We passed some nice mountains and wine making regions on the bus.
Nelson is the sunniest playground in New Zealand. Its 2,500 hours of annual sunshine, tranquil waters, gold-sand beaches, vineyards, and craft activities make it one of the most popular destinations of all. And the good thing is, this applies to winter as well. While the rest of the country is lashed with foul winter chills, Nelson sits in a sheltered haven, blissfully unaware of everyone else’s discomfort.
Perhaps this accounts for why the area is one of the last bastions of alternative lifestylers, especially in the Takaka-Golden Bay area. Immigrating Europeans and Americans have sought it out, too, so you’ll find plenty of mixed accents among the locals.
The combined population of Nelson City and nearby Richmond is about 51,000. An hour’s drive east is the small town of Motueka, population 12,000, and between the two is an area rich in tourist pickings. This is where you’ll find most of the 300 full-time artists and craftspeople. It is thick with orchards, vineyards, galleries, quaint shops, and cafes, and a visit here should not be rushed. It’s a laid-back province that quickly convinces you that laid-back is best.
We arrived in Nelson at 3.45pm (20 minutes early) and the bus driver offered to take any tourists to the places they were staying. I saw that a lot of hostels have reps and mini buses outside the bus station. I had picked the Palace Hostel. This is a nice hostel with no bunks! It is an old house with character and free breakfast. Check out their pretty cool website. I met a guy from Leeds there. I am sharing the 4 bed dorm with them. I have met a lot of Gay men in my life but this guy takes the biscuit (not mine) for been so camp. No offence but he actually does sound like a girl and he is so animated.
It was now 4.30pm and starting to get dark. As its Sunday, it was quite. I decided to visit Nelson Cathedral, 367 Trafalgar St. – nelson.cathedral@clear.net.nz.
Click on the picture to see it in its original size
Nelson – New Zealand – Catherdral (17-08-2003)
Click on the picture to see it in its original size
Nelson – New Zealand – Catherdral (17-08-2003)
From Church Hill, the Cathedral overlooks the city business district. Built mainly of Takaka marble, the cathedral is set in a garden with many outstanding trees.
Church Hill is rich in the history of Nelson. The Maori name for the hill is Pikimai (climb up here) and had been the site of a pa. Newly-arrived immigrants were housed there, as was the Post Office, the New Zealand Company’s storerooms and barracks, the Examiner offices, the courthouse, and the hospital tent. The grounds include part of the original ramparts of Fort Arthur, built by the early settlers after the Wairau Affray in 1843. The present cathedral is the third church building on the site and was completed in 1965. Open for public viewing.
It’s open daily free of charge to visitors, in summer from 8am to 6pm and in winter from 8am to 5pm. Built of local Takaka marble, the cathedral is known for its striking stained glass, carved features, and unique freestanding organ.
There was a choir practice on and it swas nice to listen. Nice and warm building. I have difficulty understanding why put up so many military flags (New Zealand and English) relating to the different wars Kiwi soldiers participated in. Its very Mother English etc. Cant be very welcoming to people of the Anglican fate from other countries. More churches in New Zealand here.
There is an EXCELLENT website about Nelson, what’s on etc. here. One of the more unusual attractions is the World of WearableArt. Too hard to explain… just vist their website.
Click on the picture to see it in its original size
Nelson – New Zealand – the World of WearableArt. (17-08-2003)
Another site on Nelson here.I don’t know if I will take the 7.15am bus south tomorrow or stay another day. There are a lot of activities here including a MACS brewery tour.
Suggested Itineraries are available here (of all of new Zealand).
Anyeway there was not a sinner (or car) on the streets past 6.00pm. I thought about the cinema but decideded not. Went on the NEt forr 2 hours (3.50 NZD during happy hour) and eat some fish and chips. It was dead quiet.
Nice hostel but staff are lazy. I had to answer the phone and open the open for callers. They were in the Chillin room playing guitar and getting stoned. I decided to leave for Fox Glacier tomorrow morning.





