we are backpackers!
Well at least we carried our bags from the ferry terminal and went out into the car park. It was raining but we had planned to walk and arrive at our booked back packers lodge by foot in what we thought was the correct back packers manner.
However we spotted a van and a sign saying Sequoia Lodge so I told the group of young people that we were staying there and we were invited to get in the van. So there we were sitting in a strangers van and I realised we should perhaps of asked for ID or something but I don't think that is a backpackers thing to do. We did ask if the van had come to collect us but they said no- they just have to be there incase someone suddenly thinks they may want somewhere to stay.
Tommy was our driver and he said he was going to do an interesting running commentary on the way to the Lodge about Picton (South Island). It was very interesting especially when we found out after two interesting facts that tommy had only just started driving with a gear shift vehicle last week and was really struggling to multi-task. We all agreed the van itself was probably making it harder as it was quite bashed up- all the vans fault.
We arrived at sequoia Lodge and Tommy pulled infront of a big wooden carving of a Maori Man in all his naked glory. Tommy had forgotten to take the van out of gear and we shot forward- like I said- stupid bashed up van.
Our room is big and the bathroom is huge and we have fantastic views all around us of beautiful mountains because the windows are big and they are double aspect giving everyone great views in too.
I realise I am tired as tell the man asks where we have come from-uh Wellington (where else on the Wellington to Picton ferry- duh) but I have forgotten we drove for 4 hours from Ohakune in that car that we have now returned to the kind people at Apex who gave us a lift to the ferry just in time. Steve reminded me.
Chocolate pudding and ice cream is on offer free every night at 8pm, theres a hot tub to 'sit in under the stars' and free breakfast between 7.30 and 10.30.
So we pull all the curtains and fall asleep.