Today, I planned to take the Bluebridge ferry for my journey from Picton in the South Island to Wellington in the North Island of New Zealand. At 8 am, the alarm jolted me awake. After a quick pit stop in the bathroom, I hit the road, immersing myself in the bustling morning activity. Consulting Google Maps, I pinpointed a nearby New World supermarket. Eager to stock up before heading east to Picton, a quaint, hilly port town 120 kilometers from Nelson, I set out with shopping on my mind.
Leisurely Arrival in Picton
At approximately 9:30 am, I bid farewell to Nelson and embarked on a captivating journey towards Picton. Despite the scenic beauty, I opted for a detour through the town of Blenheim, avoiding the guidance of Google Maps. However, my detour proved less than ideal, costing me an extra 30 kilometers worth of fuel – a decision I immediately regretted.
By 11:30 am, I rolled into Picton, eager to make the most of my spare time. After a quick pit stop at a public toilet, I found myself with ample time until my 1 pm check-in at the Bluebridge ferry company. Parking my car conveniently nearby, I decided to pass the time with an episode of “How I Met Your Mother.” Adjacent to the restroom, a quaint park caught my attention. Exploring the surroundings, I strolled to a charming bridge and snapped some pictures of the picturesque hills enveloping Picton.
The Ferry Saga: Boarding Antics
Around 12:40 pm, I headed toward the harbor, inadvertently passing the company and heading straight for the port. Surprisingly, the gates opened for me, leading to a bit of confusion as there was no check-in building in sight—just the massive ferry, amusingly enough. After a backtrack out of the port area, I eventually found the Bluebridge check-in building. Waiting in line with other cars, I received two small wooden planks, functioning as my boarding passes. The anticipation set in as I idled in the car, passing the time for about an hour. Although the ferry was initially scheduled to depart at 2 pm, it encountered a delay.
At approximately 2 pm, the first line of cars was granted permission to approach the ferry. I waited patiently, idly playing with my two wooden boarding passes. Suddenly, the car in front of me received a green signal and drove off. Startled, I quickly started my engine and followed suit, tossing the wooden planks haphazardly among my belongings in the process.
Approaching the ferry, I noticed that the cars ahead were handing their wooden planks to the woman. “Oh my god, you moron, where did you put those two planks?!?!” I berated myself. In my haste to start the car, I stashed them somewhere. With a blush, I approached the woman, saying, “Excuse me, miss, I had them just a few seconds ago, but now I don’t know where I put them.” She reassured me, “That’s okay, just park over here and go look for them.”
After searching for five minutes, I discovered the misplaced wooden planks in the box beside me on the passenger seat. Oh, how silly of me, haha. Handing them over, I was granted permission to drive onto the ferry. Finally!
Cruising to Wellington: Sunset Magic
Parking the car, I carried my belongings to the lounge. Opting for a seat in the restaurant section, I began typing some reports. Unfortunately, there was no power socket available, which was a bit inconvenient. Earlier that morning, I had already booked a hostel in Wellington, ensuring everything was set for my arrival, anticipating fatigue. The drive from the port to the hostel was a mere 10 minutes.
The cruise spanned an impressive 4 hours, offering ample time for relaxation. Growing weary of my laptop after an hour, I ventured outside and was captivated by the ferry’s surroundings. The view was simply enchanting as the sun began to set, revealing the distant silhouette of the South Island.
After spending ten minutes in the chilly wind outside of the Bluebridge ferry, I decided to head back indoors for warmth. Strolling through the ship, I opted for one of those cozy chairs. Setting the mood with some music from my phone, I settled into a relaxed state. Originally, I had planned to take a nap in my car, but the doors to the car deck were closed.
The chairs of Bluebridge ferry proved to be quite comfortable, allowing me to catch a brief nap. After about an hour, I felt the urge to step outside once more. The sunset colors were absolutely stunning. At first, I thought my camera wasn’t functioning properly due to the significant blur, but to my surprise, the clouds genuinely had that dreamlike appearance.
Arrival in Wellington
From this point, it was just an hour’s journey to Wellington. I returned indoors, took a seat, and slipped back into a drowsy state. Upon our arrival in Wellington, I stepped outside for one final gaze. The cityscape view from this vantage point was truly breathtaking. Wellington marked the first city on my journey with substantial buildings, a notable contrast to the smaller towns in the South Island.
Amidst the announcements, their purpose eluded me. Heading back to the car downstairs the Bluebridge ferry, I realized I’d forgotten to use the restroom. With a bursting bladder, I endured the wait until the cars began moving off the Bluebridge ferry. As I exited the port, the urgency hit me, prompting a detour to the city center in search of a toilet before reaching the hostel. Despite Google Maps set for the hostel, I found myself meandering, searching for it manually. After a 15-minute quest for a gas station or McDonald’s, I spotted some too late and drove past. Eventually, I pulled over at a gas station, racing to the entrance.
The Gas Station Pit Stop
Entering the establishment, I couldn’t hold it any longer, so I blurted out to the cashier, “Emergency! Where’s the nearest restroom?” My bladder was staging a rebellion. The cashier looked at me as if I’d just announced a surprise robbery, then nervously pointed to the other side of the room. A few onlookers seemed more startled than a cat in a cucumber video, but I paid them no mind. I’ve never been this close to surrendering to my own rebellious bladder – a showdown I never expected in the aisles of a gas station!
Heading towards the hostel, I quickly realized there was no nearby parking. Navigating through hilly terrain, I scoured for a vacant spot, but every inch was claimed. In frustration, I facepalmed, muttering to myself, “It’s Saturday, no wonder it’s bustling.” Eventually, I located a parking area close to the hostel, albeit at a hefty cost.
Waiting Games: Check-In Frustrations
Approaching the hostel, I noticed another backpacker walking just ahead of me. “I should speed up to beat him; otherwise, I’ll be stuck waiting for the check-in,” I thought. Unfortunately, I didn’t act on that impulse. I found myself waiting for a good 10 minutes until he finished. Thankfully, the receptionist noticed my restlessness. Exhausted and eager to rest, I had a slew of tasks to tackle that evening. The time was now 8 pm.
The guy ahead of me was a newcomer with numerous questions, seemingly oblivious to my wait. The receptionist, trying to expedite the process, offered, “Can I assist you in the meantime? Do you have a reservation?” She posed the question as the young man rummaged through his backpack for his passport. I walked up to the desk, promptly stating, “Yes, I have a reservation. My name is Splinter, and here’s my ID,” handing over my driver’s license along with $50. She smiled appreciatively, noting my efficiency, especially compared to the slow-paced newcomer she was assisting.
In just two minutes, I received my change and a key for my dorm. Despite the hostel’s size, it seemed relatively quiet, with only a few backpackers around. I would have preferred a dorm to myself, but, unfortunately, sharing was the order of the day.
Evening Routine and Parking Woes
Plugging in my laptop for a charge, I set aside the rest of my belongings. Returning to my car, I paid $12 for 12 hours of parking, settling the bill with my credit card. Retrieving washing detergent from my car, I headed back toward the hostel. Conveniently situated next to the YHA international hostel was a New World supermarket, where I picked up some food.
After a refreshing shower at the hostel, I ascended to the sixth floor for some laundry. In the evening, I worked on my blog posts and enjoyed some relaxation. By 11 pm, the dryer had finished, prompting me to return to the car park and stow my clothes back in the car. However, I spotted a warning sign: “Remove your car before 3 am on Saturdays for the Sunday morning market. Cars will be towed away!” My luck, I mused. Fortunately, the surroundings near the hostel were quieter at that moment, allowing me to find a suitable spot. Upon returning to the dorm, I found the lights off and decided to call it a night.
