World Cruise 2019

Wellington and Picton, New Zealand

13 Comments


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)

13 thoughts on “Wellington and Picton, New Zealand”

  1. Thank you Captain!
    Another very enjoyable read.
    Best to you and all on board!

  2. Extremely graphic pictures. I got a lump in my throat just looking at your pictures, I can only imagine the feelings you had being there. Thank you for sharing.

  3. Hopefully you’ll visit Gallipoli in person someday. It is very moving to see the trenches in which the battles were fought. As well as the many memorials to both the ANZAC and Turkish soldiers who fought and lost their lives during the campaign.

  4. Thanks once more for another interesting post.
    You mentioned visiting WWI battle sites in France and Belgium …
    have you been to Ieper [Ypres] and the Flanders Fields Museum?
    Like the museum you visited in Wellington, the Flanders museum is very “personal” and very moving, and the town of Ieper [that’s the Flemish spelling] is as beautiful as it is amazing.
    As a Canadian I am also proud to say that I have visited Essex Farm Cemetery, the place where in 1915 John McRae wrote the poem “In Flanders’ Fields” [ it was in May, and there were indeed poppies in bloom] and was quite unashamedly in tears.

  6. Another fine post. The photos of the exhibit are moving and a history not to be forgotten. Safe travels.

  7. Thank you for your time and effort to take us along on your 2019 GWV. Your extraordinary pictures and narrative put us beside you on this adventure. We sailed with you on the 2018 GWV but this year we are relegated to living the voyage through your sharing.
    Thank you!! Don & Annette Winterich, Melbourne (Viera), Florida

  8. Thank you for continuing to send out posts of your travels.I find them very interesting and your pictures are beautiful.You let areas that I will never get to travel to.I find your posts very informative.
    Thank you again.
    Regards, Donna

  10. I so enjoyed this posting on Wellington. We went to that wonderful exhibition at the Museum back in January, 2016 and I didn’t realise that it is still showing. We are returning to Wellington on a cruise in a year’s time so I do hope that we are able to return and see once again such an incredible history of our ANZAC forces in the 1st World War. It does bring tears to one’s eye.

  11. You passed by Ship Cove, where Captain Cook stopped on two voyages. A very interseting and historic cove.

  12. Thank you Captain. .enjoying your blog of your time in New Zealand very much ..and especially this one. We have been to Te Papa before and know it is an excellent museum. Looks like this time it has outdone itself with the exhibition of the Gallipoli Campaign. Thank you very much for sharing..

Comments are closed.