One day after leaving Tauranga, we arrived off Wellington. 5 a.m on the Bridge as we approached the entrance to this natural harbour and the main port for the cross-strait ferry traffic. Our pilot boarded and asked if we wanted to con us in, or he advise, we chose the latter of course and approached the entrance channel.
Our route around south island to Wellington
The harbour entrance
and our approach to the berth
Our berth ahead
..and approaching it
Alongside on schedule, I remained on board until midday while the ‘Ladies’ went to explore the city. Shuttle buses took guests and crew to the city centre, too far to walk and besides, no pedestrians are allowed to walk in the dock area. Around 1 p.m. I joined Karen and Hazel for lunch, they having chosen an Asian restaurant, tucked away on an obscure corner and accessible only by stairs or a decrepit lift. Despite its situation, the lunch was delicious and the New Zealand white wine we chose being lovely too. While eating, Hazel mentioned that the museum had an exhibition about the ANZAC campaign at Gallipoli during 1915. I am an avid historian, having taken trips to the battlefields in France; the Somme, Vimy and Passchendaele amongst others. All have deeply moved me, my Grandfather having fought in the 1st war and my father in the 2nd. The Gallipoli exhibition left me with a lump in my throat, as have the others. It is difficult to describe in this post, although the photos may give you an idea. No ‘flash’ allowed so my camera was used to its full extent. The exhibition not only described the landing, the numerous attacks and the bitter fighting but New Zealand individuals who fought (and died) there. The figures were alarming lifelike, except they were far larger than a human being, this made a huge impact when viewing them.
On a lighter note, we departed Wellington at 11 p.m. and it was a short ‘jaunt’ to the pilot station for Picton. Into bed by midnight and a 4 a.m. call for him, so plenty of coffee that night! Access to Picton is gained by a 20-mile passage through Queen Charlotte Sound, a meandering, wide channel takes us through a fjord-like terrain although, being pitch black for most of the way, we couldn’t see much of it 🙂
A final turn into a small river valley and the lights of Picton ahead. 2 tugs fussed about us as we approached the dock, just in case they were needed and having made fast, a ferry from Wellington docked next to us, this being the South Island main link to Wellington.
One of our ‘fussing’ tugs and the ferries in the background. (Taken on departure)
