Wellington --> Picton --> Christchurch

September 10, 2023

Wellington --> Picton --> Christchurch

On Saturday morning, September 9, we completed our final leg of the trip from the North Island to the South Island. We were up early and left the apartment at 6:45am to start our walk to the ferry. We had to check in by 7:15am for the 8:15am departure, and it was about a 20 min. walk. Jay and I each wore a Patagonia duffel on our backs and we all rolled one or two suitcases with our backpacks sitting on top. It was tiring and by the end of it Finn was left only carrying his rugby ball and Jay inherited an extra suitcase to haul - lucky him! The ferry ride was smooth and a lot of fun! We found a table against the windows to play cards at and eat breakfast. I also had booked us a family cabin with bunk beds, so the kids hung out in there for awhile. It ended up not being necessary to have, because there was plenty of seating on the ferry. The ride was 3.5 hours long and we docked in Picton, a small town at the top of the South Island. Time to rent car #2, which was right in town, and only a short bus ride away (provided by the ferry company).

ALLLLLLL ABOARD

Approaching Picton

How many beans can Finn stuff into his breakfast sausage?

Future All Black??

Entering the Fjords at the top of the South Island

Picton!

Once in Picton, we grabbed a quick bite at "Toasties" and ate sandwiches on the "foreshore." The grassy area next to the beach in town. Of course there was a super fun play area and playground for the kids to run around before we started the 4.5 hour drive to Christchurch. The highlight of the drive to CHCH was pulling over to watch seals on the rocks just north of Kaikoura. We pulled into our house 11A Montana Avenue, Ilam, Christchurch, Canterbury around 6:00pm. John, a staff member at the University, met us at the house to give us the keys and welcome us. He very thoughtfully stocked up our kitchen and fridge with some essentials. There were just the right ingredients to make some grilled cheeses for dinner; we were too tired to try and go out to find food.