Around The World In 80 Waves

Having driven to Wellington I make a short pit stop on the waterfront there to look around, before heading for the Interislander Car Ferry. I drive up to the terminal building and ask for a ticket for myself and the van which is expensive enough at $230, but am them horrified when I am asked to pay 50% more just as I am boarding.

I am told it is because my van is so big, but am feeling more than a bit aggrieved because the original lady saw the vehicle and told me what it would cost. Every time of late that I use somebody else’s transport I seem to be getting shafted right at the last minute when it is too late for me to do anything about it, but the perfect timing to pisas me off right through the voyage.

I don’t find this latest experience any more appetising than any of the recent financial rapings I have had to endure from airline companies as I cross Cook Strait.

It like many other places I have visited on this trip are named after or by Captain Cook. There was a bay named after him in Tahiti too!

I get my first experience of the passion of the locals for rugby on the boat because the first of the three test matches against France is being shown on board.

It seems that all the passengers are in the bar for the game, second guessing the referee’s parentage and cheering every point scored by the victorious All Blacks.

Watching the game at night means I can’t see the beautiful Marlborough sound which the boat travelled through on its way to Picton, but I got this picture of the harbour the following day to give you a flavour.

The Lions game is on afterwards in the pubs in town and after a few beers talking to rugby fans I am finally feeling like I am part of this Lions tour even if I have not quite made it to Australia yet.