Ahoy Captain, Land Ho!

So after hauling my arse out to the street at 6:40am still bleary eyed and not happy about getting up. I have a few lists that I am working through, my To Do List, my personal Bucket List, but getting up was last on my list of things I would rather be doing at that moment! So the shuttle picked us up and we headed to the interislander ferry terminal to take the ferry crossing from the North to the South island. The ferry ride takes about 3.25 hours or so. I was hoping the Cook Strait wasn't too choppy today because given my current condition I didn't think that a rocky boat ride was the most best thing for my stomach. The ferry was huge and had it's own movie theatre, cafeteria, lounges etc. Jolene and I got on and had a backpackers breakfast instead of buying the overpriced food on the boat and the we settled in and I took a nap. When I woke up the land was right in front of us! The majestic rolling hills of the Marlborough Sounds was the first thing I saw and boy was it beautiful! Although we seemed to be 'there' we had to navigate for another hour through the sounds to dock in Picton. It was a very beautiful ferry ride from then on, and seriously that is why people fall in love with New Zealand! A few people think I am going to fall in love down here and get married and never come back. Well I do have strong feelings......for New Zealand. I think we are going to just keep seeing each other and everything continues to go well maybe I will pop the question! I really do love it here tho!

So we arrived in Picton and our Magic Bus was waiting for us in the parking lot. I met the new driver, Greg, and right off the hop I knew he wouldn't be like Kate. He seemed very nice and very helpful, but he seemed like all business all the time. I like someone that is personable and you can joke around with and someone that at least tries to make the long bus rides more enjoyable. After loading up the bus we were off! Our first stop would be a quick lunch stop then our over night stop in Nelson. We drove through the most beautiful green mountains on our way it was just stunning views! Now I know why everyone says the South Island is way better. I plan on actually staying in Picton on the way back up and hopefully doing some hiking around the Marlborough Sounds. What a gorgeous area! Originally I was going to just spend one night in Nelson and keep on trucking with the Magic Bus. Then at the last minute I decided that I was going to hike the Abel Tasman, so that requires you to stay 3 nights in Nelson. So here I am at one of the best hostels I have ever stayed at sitting on the patio off my room typing up this blog. Yesterday I hung out with a German girl named Clara, Jolene and Issac the Swede. We walked around Nelson together and just chit chatted then had supper and drank some Nelson wine by the pool. Yea, the pool! This hostel is 20 bones a night and has a pool, a hot tub, a sauna, free soup every night, free breakfast, and there are only 4 beds in the dorm and we have a patio right off the side. It is great! I love Paradiso! If you come to Nelson, stay here! While walking around Nelson I discovered the best street around! Have a look!

Today I walked all around the town, got some groceries and went to the Centre of NZ. There is this walk and it is supposed to take you to the Centre of NZ. Turns out it is close-ish to the actual centre of NZ but it is the point that all surveyors base their stuff off of. Plus it is on the top of a really tall hill and it has great views! I don't have my pictures on my computer just yet but I got two great panoramic pictures!

Tomorrow I am going the Abel Tasman National Park walk and boat cruise. It is considered one of New Zealands great walks so I am really looking forward to it and I will be sure to let you know how it goes!