From Wellington, we moved on to the south island via a ferry ride across the Cook Straight. Normally, rental cars aren't taken between the islands, but due to a mixup with the car company we had the go-ahead to keep our van for the entire trip. So we loaded Tubbo Slowpoke on the ferry and south we all went.
The Wellington Harbor was calm and beautiful the morning we left.
Once we got out into the Cook Straight, the winds picked up quite a bit.
This was one of the most scenic ferry rides we've ever taken. In order to get to Picton, the ferry's destination, we had to pass through the rustic beauty of the Queen Charlotte Sound.
After 3 1/2 hours, we disembarked just outside Picton, which was a very picturesque ferry town. The city center looked like a postcard and had palm trees along its inviting esplanade.
The dudes caught some sun and some z's while Mom and I scouted out a restaurant for lunch.
Not a bad lunch view!
After lunch, we continued along the Queen Charlotte Drive, which wound through more spectacular coastal scenery. The turquoise waters, combined with the lush green hills and peaks, were breathtaking. We were quickly finding out why everyone we met told us the south island is the most scenic of New Zealand's two islands.
Eventually we arrived at our rental house, which was situated in the hillside outside Motueka. New Zealand's total population is just under 4.5 million people, with only about 25% of those people (1 million) living on the larger south island. This means that much of the south island is undeveloped and really peaceful.
Our host mentioned a nearby river where local kids swim and play on a rope swing. After a full day of travel to get from Wellington to Motueka, we spent the next day relaxing and just playing in the river.
Even Bob, Dadada, and I tried out the rope swing.
We found interesting rocks and wildlife that had been caught in tiny pools on the rocks.
Bob looks kind of like Captain Morgan in this photo.
The next day, we rented bicycles in Mapua and took off to explore some of the Great Taste Trail. One of New Zealand's most popular bike trails, it offers coastal and rural scenic views, as well as plenty of opportunities to stop at local wineries and restaurants. After picking up our bikes, we hopped on a small bike ferry from Mapua over to Rabbit Island. From there, we could continue on the trail all the way to Nelson.
We peddled through fields...
Past orchards...
And along the coast until we were just outside Nelson and it was time for lunch.
Nelson is in the Marlborough region, which is New Zealand's largest wine growing region and which produces some fantastic sauvignon blancs. We had a delicious lunch accompanied by a sav blanc made just down the road.
After lunch, we got back on our bikes to head home but stopped for ice cream at a nearby berry field first.
Stomachs quite full, we headed back so we could make the last bike ferry from Rabbit Island over to Mapua.
We got close to the ferry pickup point and stopped to take a few pictures with the beautiful coastline behind us.
We biked about 30 kilometers (19 miles), and it was a great day!
On our final day in the area, we went to WOW, which is the World of Wearable Art & Classic Cars museum. This complex features creative and award-winning fashion art, coupled with a private collection of hundreds of classic cars. Mom and I spent more time in the wearable art section, while the boys spent most of their time looking at the cars. So there was something for everyone!
We ended the day Facetiming with Caitlin and her family and enjoying a colorful sunset back at our rental house.
The Nelson area had so much to offer--our short time there gave us a great introduction to the beauty of New Zealand's south island and made us look forward to what was to come!
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