The sun was shining and the sea calm. It was very windy on deck but I preferred to stay there to avoid sea sickness which often strikes if I have to sit inside. I found a spot that was out of the wind and sat on my case sunning myself and every now and again got up to look at the views. The trip across the Cook Straight and up Queen Charlotte Sound and into tiny Picton was stunning.
More language problems though. Ferry announcement 'would all passengers go to the dick' no that would be deck!!
On arrival in Picton I was taking the train down to Kaikoura. This involved a short walk down to the train station where, very handy for travellers there was a Subway sandwich shop. I like them as you can get fresh made sandwhich, which has not gone soggy on the journey, for a very reasonable price. Judging by the queue my fellow travellers agreed.
Train travel in NZ turned out to be different from England. You cannot just turn up and get on. You have to check in and are then allocated your seat.
Luggage is labelled and stowed in the luggage van at the rear. This makes for a slow start but a comfortable journey as the carriages are not overcrowded. There is only one train a day on most lines and this train links to the ferry and in fact is often late if the ferry is late.
The journey was faabeewlus. The first part to Blenhiem is through the Marlborough vinyards or winerys as they are called here. After that the rest of the journey is by the sea. It seemed to be one long beach all the way to Kaikoura.
There was one break in the coastline at an area where a marine salt works has been created. It reminded me of the salt pans on the mediterranean coast of France just north of Perpignan which can also be seen from the train. There are no flamingoes on the NZ one as there are in France.
I arrived in Kaikoura at about 3.00pm and after checking my bookings for whale watching the next day I found my hostel and settled in for an early night read for a very early start again the next day. The hostel was interesting. Not YHA as I could not get in there. Rather I found it through Hostel World and it is called the Albatross Backpackers. It is in the old Kaikoura post office building and is a really nice place to stay. Very friendly and helpful staff and lots of interesting guests. And so to bed ready for the whale watching the next day. Would I or wouldn't I get out to see the whales? It would all depend on the weather?!!
