Thursday 9th May 2013

I slept ok, though I woke up every time some one came back into our room, which was three times. When my alarm went off I didn't want I leave or wake up. I eventually got up, later than planned, but I eventually got up, washed, dressed, striped my bed and packed my bags. Everyone else was still asleep so I tired to be quite. Once I was all set, around 6.10am, I went and got my food out the fridge and made a cup of tea. Around 6.30am, I went downstairs, collected my key deposit and went outside for the bus. A few of us were gathered and the bus which was on the others side of the road came across. It was a smaller bus with a trailer. We climbed aboard and waited for the last few. Eventually we made our way to the ferry. We checked in and waited for the boat. I took my sea sick pill. We had to wait over an hour before the boat was due to leave. I sat in the ferry terminal and read my book. A group of people walked in and I saw Claire from the first bus was in that group, I was so glad to know she would be on the bus. I walked up to her and we chatted. We were then told to board the boat. We climbed aboard and I followed the others to the top deck and sat down. They were all chatting but I sat next them listened an read my book. There was so free wifi, so I downloaded my emails (which I had 2 or 3) and checked that no one had messages me (which they hadn't). I ate my banana and cereal bar for breakfast, as it was too early to eat before we left). I spent the 3 hour journey talking to Claire, chatting to the others, taking a few photos, sending emails and reading, but mainly I read. I was getting into my book and just wanted to read.
Just after 11am we reached land. Coming into the port we were surrounded by beautiful mountains covered in trees and shrubs, with a beautiful blue sky backdrop. Once we jumped into the boat to get off the boat it was obvious there was a lot more people joining our bus, which cheered me up, some English, Irish, Americans and Europeans. It was a tight squeeze on the bus, as it was only small and no really room.
Once we were off the boat, collected the baggage (those who were joining the bus got on as foot passengers). We drove off into Picton. We had to pick up a few more people and the rest of us dived into a Dutch bakery to pick up some lunch. I wasn't meant to buy anything but I got a cheese scone and some butter (it was the cheapest thing to buy). We all jumped back into the bus. It was a sunny day, but there was still a chill in the end. The bus was buzzing with lots of people on. We drove out of the small port town of Nelson and onto the road. We drove for a short while into the biggest white wine region of New Zealand. We stopped off at a winery, where people could go wine tasting. Surprisingly I didn't and instead looked around a few shops (including tasting some fudge). I got myself a cup of tea which proved to be the most valuable cup of tea. We hit the road and the plan was to drive Nelson, drop into a supermarket and then drive to Able Tazman for 2 nights and a BBQ dinner. We were only 20mins from Nelson, I had drifted off once my tea was finished. But we then broke down, the buses radiator had broken, even though it had just been repaired for its radiator. We jumped out of the bus, unluckily we had some great views of mountains. Pinky phoned up to get help. I stayed in the bus for a while and read my book until my battery died. I then went outside and stood in the sun, when in the sun it was warm but when in the shade it was cold. The sun was slowly fading. A few of us then got back into the bus and Pinky put on some 'Father Ted' and 'Fresh Meat' on his laptop. After these finished the others came into the bus as it was getting cold. It was now 5pm, we had been there nearly 3 hours and we've heard nothing or had any help.
The mechanic arrived after a while and had a look he said the bus would need proper help and another bus would pick us up. We sat and waited in the bus. It was getting colder. Pinky said to get our food from the trailer as the trailer might be to the hostel later than us. I got my bag out and then sat and ate some biscuits and nuts until we eventually got picked up. The plan was to be taken to our hostel in Able Tazman. We continued to sit in the bus, waiting. Pinky tried talking and tried to put on a DVD, although there was no sounds. As the afternoon was turning into evening and it was now dark outside we were still there. Pinky then hold us we would be spending the night in Nelson now, not going to Able Tazman, but Stray would pay to the accommodation and a bus would be here soon to pick us up. Pinky put on some Alan Carr whilst we waited. The bus still took another 70mins to come. The bus got to us just before 8pm. We had been there 6 hours. People weren't too impressed with the whole situation. I thought it was a little annoying they didn't send a second bus earlier but the free nights accommodation was a good compromise. The bus that picked us up was large and we took our bags out the trailer and pilled into the bus. The bus trip took about 25mins to get to Nelson. We stopped off at supermarket and I stocked up on food. Between that and the previous food stops I was ready for the next few days and more. Back on the bus we waited for everyone to be back. We then headed to the hostel, and the driver showed is places (shops and restaurants) and then we got to the hostel. I checked in and dumped my bags in the room. I met Matt and Sarah (newbies on the bus) and we walked to the Fish and Chip shop, although I had brought lots of food, I thought I'd treat myself as it had been a long day. We walked there quickly as it shut at 9pm. I ordered some fish and chips. We took them back to the hostel, and us three sat chatted and ate. The other Claire and the Irish girls also had fish and chips. The hostel provided free wifi, instant noodles (which I took although didn't eat) and free breakfast in the morning. After dinner I had a cup of tea before heading to bed around 10.30pm. I got ready for bed and Sarah and I chatted to the German girl in our room. Once lights were out, I read for a while before settling down.