🇳🇿 New Zealand Days 5️⃣&6️⃣: The Surprising Charm of Picton
After visiting Hobbiton ("Hobbit-town") and Wellington ("Wei-ling-town"), we arrived at our first South Island stop—Picton ("Pik-town")! 😄 ⛴️ The Scenic Ferry Ride from Wellington Ferry: Interislander’s 10-deck giant (booked via InterCity, $60NZD/pax) Decks: 🅿️ Vehicle storage on lower decks ☕ Cafés & seating on decks 7-9 🌟 Deck 10 = Panoramic viewing platform! Despite stormy winds and rain, the ship was rock-steady. Highlight: Slowing down in the Marlborough Sounds for photos—just as the sun came out! ☀️ (3.5-hour journey) 🏡 Picton: A Cozy Harbor Gem Tiny but lively! With no car, we stuck to: Two main streets, including a waterfront strip packed with cafés and pubs Perfect for: Sipping coffee ☕ or chilling with a cold beer 🍻 by the harbor 🚶♂️ Day 1: Slow & Scenic Lunch: Random seaside restaurant (fish & chips + local beer = bliss) Evening Hike: Picton Harbour View Track (30-min climb for postcard-perfect harbor views) 🐬 Day 2: Unexpected Marine Adventure! Booked a last-minute 4-hour boat tour ($149NZD): Small speedboat with binoculars for wildlife spotting 🔭 Saw: Little blue penguins (world’s smallest!) Hector’s dolphins playing beside the boat 🐬 Seals munching on fish 🦭 Motuara Island Stop: Hiked to a birdwatching tower (endangered species everywhere!) Non-hikers could wait by a birdbath pool 🐦 Bonus: Coffee, snacks, and a glass of wine on the return trip! 🍷 🍽️ Food Recs: 1️⃣ 📍 Toasties Lords - Picton Hearty, cheap toasties—eat on the grass with harbor views! 🌊 2️⃣ 📍 Seumus’ Irish Bar & Restaurant Best Guinness in town + legendary Guinness beef stew 🍖 #NewZealandTravel #PictonNZ #SouthIsland #FerryAdventure #WildlifeWatching #FoodieFinds