We have always traveled between the two islands of New Zealand by plane. For this trip, we decided to hold-on to the car for the full period. In order to cross Cook Strait, a car is inadequate. Instead, we used the ferry from Picton in the south to the capital, Wellington in the north, a three-and-a-half hours crossing. We drove to Picton from Kaikoura, a journey of spectacular views of an incredible coastline, ocean colors that include all shades of turquoise, fascinating mountains, rolling hills, valleys, flora…is anything else necessary? If anyone should seek to suggest that we are biased, we will refute that statement outright. We might add that Jenni’s husband ‘loves this country’.
The crossing was not limited to humans and cars only. While below deck, we smelled the cattle and viewed them housed in the trucks. We are becoming quite used to knowing when animals are around. Jen wishes she had the same warning system for bears and snakes, which New Zealand has yet to import. Nevertheless, we wondered what the cows thought of it all. Then again, we wondered whether they think at all.
We sat near a young American couple who we learned are with the diplomatic corp. They were returning to Wellington, the seat of the embassy, of course. Jenni wondered what their functions were. We were behaving in a diplomatic manner so did not seek to inquire. We did mention they could even be ‘spooks’, CIA operatives. It turns out that they work for the Defence Department. We were close. We tactfully refused to discuss further our true feelings of their ultimate boss.
It was great to be back on the trails. Wellington, the windy city, which is not surprising because after all, it is the capital. Although we understand Washington, USA is not windy literally, we might consider it the leader in the field of ‘hot air’, figuratively. We were in the forest for a while which is protected. Once we broke the tree line, an amazing place with stunning views, we were ‘hounded’ by the wind continuously. We don’t think we have ever experienced such gusts for a relatively mild day. It was a pity because like the South Island, Wellington is gorgeous. The views of some neighborhoods overlooking multi-layered mountains surrounding the bay and near the ocean make La Jolla look quite ordinary. (That comment might cost us dearly.)
We wondered about the wind. Bear in mind, this was even before we reached “Baked Bean Bend”, we kid you not, which was a ‘gas’. Some of the names in this country are fascinating. A hike we thought would be real tough is called ‘something’ puke. Of course, it should be pronounced ‘pukay’—a little ignorance goes a long way. We sometimes get sidetracked easily so back to the wind. We could understand how a person could be blown off the edge of the mountain. The wind was that strong. It caused us to ponder deeply:
If one is blown over the edge, could one honestly say that the hike was completed. Surely, it requires the person to hike both ‘up and back down’ to obtain the ‘boasting rights’. Of course, our editor never enters into the spirit of a meaningful discussion of this nature. “Don’t you realize a person would be killed should he/she be blown over the edge,” she contributed. We hate it when she gets so practical. Of course, we realize how precious life is, but that’s not the issue. We are trying to obtain the correct definition of a completed hike or outing. It’s something she just doesn’t get no matter how much we try to explain it.
We met a few locals on the trail who, like many others, are easy and pleasant with which to converse. It usually ends up being informative in a jovial manner. Back to the track. With the ‘ups and downs, we estimate undergoing an accumulated elevation gain of 2,400 feet or more over eight miles. The scenery was marvelous, the forest was jungle like with a good path; we crossed numerous streams by ‘walking the plank’ and stepping on stones, rocks and tree-trunks. Eventually, it became too difficult and dangerous and so we waded into the water instead. Remove the wind and the day would have been near perfect. It was really good to be out again; our first footing back on the North Island but we sure miss the South.
Cheers,
Jenni and Jeffrey
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