So to Wellington.... They call it Windy Wellington..... We though the smell of rotten eggs in Rotorua was bad but let me tell you this, they arent lying when they call it Windy Wellington.... I dont know what they eat around there but they are Windy!!!!! Seriously though, I have never experienced such gales, I am suprised the place is still there. We got out of the car in town where we were staying, there had been seriously stormy weather for a few miles into town, and were nearly blown away when we got there, it was crazy!!! Settled down to our hostel, nice big place called No mads or something like that, and made our plan for our day there. We had planned to just sit this one out because we though Wellington would be a crappy ferry town, but its not, it was quite nice actually. There is a massive five or six storey free museum down on the quays (should be photos of it). We spend a few hours there either on our first or second day, no idea!!! It must have been the first day since we spend only one day there, but anyway. In the hostel, there was a free bit of food on offer with the bar next door, chicken curry, miniscule proportion, it was a nice starter!!!!! Later that evening, this fella from the hostel (not sure his exact attachment to the hostel, nor were the hostel staff), he was offering an activity trip to this House with lots of lights on it, he called it the light house, and said it was a tour of the light house... seemed like something to do so me and Reg said we would go... nobody else did. Anyway, off we went, the three of us, walking down the quays to the "light house". Thankfully for our sake it turned out to be a Cadburys promotion where they had rigged a house up with reportedly 40,000 dollars (NZ) worth of lights, and a microphone up front for clapping into to light the house up (thats the best description ye are getting). We got free chocolate anyway, and then headed back to the hostel after chatting with the three guys running the show (earned ourselves some extra chocolate of course!!!)

The next morning, it was up early for the ferry and off we sailed for the south island. The weather was awful in town again, but once we put to sea the weather got nicer.... sunny south island it seems!!! The photos of the trip hopefully speak for themselves (Regina chose them). For about half an hour we sailed along the north coast, then to sea for an hour or so (where we bumped into Fay again!!!!), and then up through the Cook Strait for about an hour. Either side of the ship, and almost within touching distance were hilled forested islands, amazingly blue waters and of course glorious sunshine making them all sparkle and shine. Apart from the hurricane trying to blow us off the ship it could have been a very expensive cruise!!!! Arrived in Picton on the South and headed off towards our next destination Kaikora. Along the way the hills start out with being very dry looking, there is a section called the Lions Back, and it is quite apt. Then we hit the coast. To the left the beautiful peaceful Pacific Ocean (southern division), to the right the Southern Alps (including a few snow peaks). This could be the nicest drive we have ever taken.... stunning, and the best was yet to come when we arrived in Kaikora..... 13 mins left on the meter, I will try my best to start it....