Heeding the nice policemans words we pulled over in the next township about 30km south of our intended destination, Otaki. We thought quite long and hard about staying here for the night rather than risking too much in taking on the strong New Zealand cross winds. After a while however it seemed to have calmed a little and we continued further south. Without affording Otaki too much time we spent the night at the DOC (Department of Conservation) campsite for the night before making our way down to Wellington.
The approach to Wellington was somewhat difficult conditions again, the wind had died down but the rain was torrential and the fog so low that the visibility was almost non existent. The road to Wellington meanders and bends along the coast, we however could only just make out the oncoming the traffic let alone the views. In the fleeting moments when the fog rose the journey was however lit by some stunning rainbows. With only 80km to do that morning we made it to Wellington around 11am giving us just over 24 hours in which to take in the sights and sounds of New Zealands capital city. Fortunately we found the ideally located Wellington Waterfront Motorhome which is right in the center of town (on the waterfront duh) next to our ferry terminal.
The weather was much the same in Wellington, unable to see the tops of the buildings through the fog we thought best to make for some indoor activities. First up was the national museum, Te Papa. Te Papa is like a cross between the science and the national history museums in London (like these it's also free!). Before we knew it was close to four hours in there and we had seen everything from the forming of the continent millions of years ago, all imaginable species of (stuffed) kiwis (the animal not the people), the worlds biggest squid, a complete history of the Maori and their culture and even experienced an earthquake simulation. On leaving Te Papa the rains had at least stopped temporarily and we were able to spend some time walking around the main district of Wellington city centre, including a viewing of the controversial 'bee-hive' government building.
The following morning was again more of the same weather wise, grey overcast cloudy and foggy, the first time in six months that it had felt like being back in London! Quicker than you can say 'Michael Fish' the weather had cleared up and we could at last (in our last hour in the city) be able to see across the harbour as we were afforded some blue skies. Alas it was time to board our ferry for the South Island, but hoping the blue skies would endure for our crossing.
The trip is a long three and a bit hours for what seems like a narrow stretch of water. It feels however almost cruise like as you take in the views looking back on Wellington, of the Tasman Sea on one side and the Pacific Ocean on the other. On our approach to the South Island we were greeted by a playful troop of five or so dolphins frolicking about, racing alongside the ferry, and generally showing off by jumping in and out of the water. Most people say the South Island is more beautiful than the North (we'll be reserving judgement till the end of our trip), arrival is a good start though as we passed through the fjords of Malborough Sounds, and saw yet more dolphins before arriving into the town of Picton. From here it was straight back onto the road as we headed through the vineyards for our first night in the South Island.
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