DAY 65: Bus to Picton

Paua Shell

We caught a bus at the Christchurch Museum to Picton which would take us up the East Coast of the South Island. It was about a 4 hour drive through beautiful countryside and along the coast.

The bus stopped briefly in Kaikoura which is known for its vast amount of seals as well as the New Zealand Paua shell. We got off and explored the beach, but saw neither seals nor shells. Maybe on the way back...

The next stop was in Blenheim, which has some of the best vineyards in New Zealand.

FUN FACT #29: As my parents are always telling me, New Zealand has some of the best Sauvignon Blanc in the business. It is mostly grown in Blenheim and the Marlborough Sounds.

The drive was gorgeous and we traveled through the vineyards and the mountains until we got to Picton.

Me at the beach in Kaikoura

The plan was to spend the night in Picton and begin the Queen Charlotte Track through the Marlborough Sounds. We got to our hostel then went to town to buy some camping food. Emma had left my pillow for the trail on the bus. So as payment, she promised to buy me a new one in town. We couldn't find a cheap pillow anywhere. So she ended up buying me a stuffed animal to sleep on. I named him Frank, the Sheep.

Hitting the track tomorrow!