Crossing the strait
Trip Start
Oct 10, 2008
1
14
25
Trip End
Dec 07, 2008
Collingwood, South Island, New Zealand
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
We first went up the cable car and walked back to the city through the botanical gardens - very civilised. Then picked up one of the fantastic walking tours in the Lonely Planet which then took us along the roads that we'd walked along earlier, but in the opposite direction. Still it did have the bonus of encompassing a micro-brewery - which we needed to check out - I am now addicted to Mac's beer - I am thinking of throwing out all of my clothes and just filling my rucksack with NZ lagers & Arnotts Buttersnap biscuits.
We didn't just spend all our time in a pub = we were also very cultural and went to the Te Papa museum - we seem to have got into the habit of arriving to museums slightly late and having to dash round them as they are closing - still it was very good and I now know alot about the native wildlife & volcanoes & earthquakes (of which there had been a few fairly nearby, but not really strong enough to feel - phew!)
That evening we were planning a wild night out (not really, but felt like I need to make it sound like we're staying up past 10) - starting in the Welsh Bar (yes you've read that right) - not mentioned in the Lonely Planet (must be keeping this little gem a secret). It claims to bet the only Welsh bar in the Southern Hemisphere, any boy(o) was it Welsh!! The place was covered in signed flags and every bit of welsh memorabilia ever produced. Upon finding there was a new Welsh boy in the house we had a lovely chat with the owners, who are definitely hardcore and stay open til 3am every night (tip for anyone looking for late night drinking in Wellington) and Ade got to sign the 'latest' flag. Becs & Chris - if you go there (who wouldn't) say the mid-Wales boy told you about the place they might just remember Ade.
Tried out a few more bars, inc the Macs brewery for good measure, and ended up having a curry (just not quite the same as back home, but a good change).
And then it was up early to be on the 8am ferry.
Incredible views passing through the Malborough sounds - the mountains of the South Island to come.
We had planned to stay in Nelson (another place with a micro-brewery), but decided to move on through to Golden Bay and stay in Pohara - which was a really pretty place. Home to some blue pengiuns (they weren't out to play unfortunately) and a bar selling Macs (sorry won't keep on about the beer)
Next stop Abel Tasman for some walking action.....
