Vancouver to Picton, New Zealand

Wifi, finally, so here starts coverage of our big down under adventure: a four day trek on New Zealand’s Queen Charlotte Track followed by a 15 day cruise around NZ then over to Australia.

I was so apprehensive about the hike, given that the plan was to fly 14 hours on Oct 29, on the red eye to Auckland, followed by a four hour layover and another two hour flight to Blenheim, have a night’s sleep and hike a steep 15k the very next day, jet lag and all. I generally don’t sleep on planes, but luckily, if available, Air NZ puts remaining higher class seats on auction and notifies you of your success just prior to the flight. Three hours ahead we found out we were lucky auction “winners” and what a difference that made.

It wasn’t business class with the sleeping pods, but the in between premium section that reminds me of old fashioned first class - larger roomy leather seats with fuller recline and foot rests, nice food and wine. It was well worth the difference to be able to rest and even get some sleep. When you think, though, that we crossed the international date line which made us skip a day, the time difference is only five hours albeit on different days. Totally confusing, eh? So, if it’s noon here on Wednesday, it’s 5:00pm at home, only at home it’s Tuesday, and since every day is Saturday in retirement, what difference does it make what day it is? The point is we were in good shape for the next day’s hike.

At the Auckland Airport our hiking equipment was inspected for potential items harmful to NZ’s environment: seeds, insects... They are making a conscious effort to bring the country back to its original natural state, free from foreign predators and invasive plants species. My boots were given a complimentary bath, returned to me in pristine condition, free of any spores from our recent mushroom hunting back home.

In Blenheim we picked up our ride to Picton, driving past the famous Marlborough vineyards and in the distance, green hills dotted with sheep. We checked into our motel with kitchenette and hit the grocery store for last minute hiking provisions and dinner ingredients: lamb leg steaks, asparagus, pre-prepared risotto and a bottle of NZ wine.

 

Amazing what you can do with one frying pan and fresh local ingredients. So ended our super long 24 or was that a 48 hour day? In the morning the plan is to catch the early water taxi to Ships Cove, Captain Cook’s favourite resting spot and the start of the Queen Charlotte Track.

Comments

[Karen]

Wow. What a great start to yet another fun adventure. Appreciate the photos. What will the weather be like? It’s a chilly one here at 12 F degrees , feeling like zero, with the icy 11 mph winds. Brrr. No snow on the ground.

[Carol King]

Hi Li! How are you? I've always wanted to go to NZ, so I will be both jealous and excited about your trip. Never could do the looooooong flight over there.

Enjoy!!!!