Winter 2019 - NZ14 Onto the Ferry, Then Ride to Nelson

NZ14   Onto the Ferry, Then Ride to Nelson

It rained last night and even this morning we had a slight rain.

Going to be a Wet Day

The ride to the ferry was a fiasco. There are several ferry terminals in Wellington, which one is for us? The verbal instructions Fred gave did not help at all. We had no map. We did not ride to the ferry in a large group. You were kind of on your own to find the ferry terminal. Now, Wellington is a big city, not unlike NYC, just smaller. Carol and I thought we knew where the terminal was, and we went there but that was not the right terminal. Other riders in our group thought like us, went to the same spot, too but it’s the wrong terminal.  We were all kind of stuck together from then on. Where do we go now?

Dreary Foggy Day

The directions we received from folks we asked at the wrong terminal did not help. I guess nobody really understood Fred’s oral directions, how else can all these riders get so lost? One fellow rider asked at the counter inside the building, but he had no idea where the correct terminal was after he came out. It was a frustrating moment, not knowing where to find the correct terminal.

The clock is now ticking; we have to be at the right ferry in order to make the crossing. The ship will not wait for us. As a small

Exiting Wellington Harbor

sub-group of about 5 bikes, we finally found the right roads, around some roundabouts, down some tight roadways to a fenced in yard. When we got to the ferry toll booth we saw Ellis, the van driver, ahead of us. He was waiting in line like all the other cars to get on board. Somehow we found the right spot, the right ferry, but the organization of getting to the ferry could have been better. 

It is frustrating if you don’t get GPS co-ordinates, if the verbal instructions are not heard or some people don’t pay attention.

On the Ferry

For me, who cannot hear well, It was torture.  I had not a clue what Fred told everybody. I am glad I had Carol, she took copious notes, but even Carol did not always get what Fred said. His instructions could have been better or he could have given out written info. Well, I said it before; Fred is a good writer… a guide?  Not so much! I don’t really like it when the clock ticks and I’m on the hunt for the right spot.

The ferry crossing was uneventful; it took about 4 hours to get across the strait between the 2 major Islands of NZ. We all had our bikes parked in a huddle on board the ship, each one of us trying to find tie-downs to make sure the bikes were secured. Tie-downs were in a bit of a short supply but there were some ropes that did serve a similar purpose, I guess. 

Getting Ready to Leave the Ferry

Leaving the ship after the water crossing resulted in not finding each other. Somehow Carol and I ended up behind Fred when we got off the ship, but a larger part of the group must have taken a different exit, because they could not be seen. Nah, Fred was not perturbed, after about 5 minutes of waiting he just took off without the others. “They know where to go”, he said. 

So we followed Fed who rode in the lead. It was a bit tricky getting out of the harbor area; we did not follow the main highway but looked for a road that ran along the coast line. This road turned out to be very twisty, very narrow, with lots of traffic. Fred is a good rider. He is quick around the corners. We needed to really hustle to keep up with Fred. 

Queen Charlotte Drive

Well, at one point there was a camper van in front of us, we all slowed down but Fred was able to quickly pass the camper and then was gone. I guess he figured we knew where to go. After some time, we found a spot where we too could pass the camper, but there was no more Fed. He was way ahead of us. 

So we rode along, kind of figuring we could not get lost, since this was the only road but it was a narrow road. The road passed quaint harbor towns, piers, docks and some wonderful scenery, but we had no time to look around, especially while riding! This road, the Queen Charlotte Drive, needed my full attention at all times. 

All of Us at the Mussels Restaurant

We were told by Fred to stop at a special restaurant in Havelock, if we liked Green Lipped Mussels.  Well, when we entered Havelock we looked for this special place and lo and behold, there was Fred. 

Getting Down to Business

Carol and I each had a pot of Green Lipped Mussels.  Those babies were big and

Are You Kidding Me?

delicious. I don’t know if you ever had mussels, it’s a delicacy in many countries. In my hometown however, near the border with the Netherlands, mussels are a staple food during the months ending with an ‘r’. Our preparation, or cooking them is different, but I like mussels, no matter plain or green lipped. 

They Are Huge

Mick - High on Fermented Grapes?

The hotel in Nelson, our stop for the night was the Rutherford Hotel.  

And since we had a GPS I was not too worried about Fred, but how did other people do it? Some had no GPS and now without Fred, not even a guide. 

We are now staying for 2 nights in Nelson. Let’s go and explore Nelson, we have a day off tomorrow.

The Rutherford Hotel

Lobby at the Rutherford

Appetizer at Dinner in the Hotel

It Was a Great Dinner