Rainy Way to Picton

The first rain during my stay in Wellington was on the day I sailed to Picton, before which it had been sunny and rain-free all week. The process of boarding the ferry is similar to that of an airplane, only the luggage is not screened, and so everything is like the big iron birds - check-in, waiting in another hall and passing through the teletrap. The most exciting thing for me was that I was going traveling alone, and, as it turned out, with virtually no knowledge of English. Sure I could buy food and knew what to yell once I was overboard, but 99% of what was said to me I didn't understand a damn thing 🙁

Immediately after landing we couldn’t shoot anything, because the rain came down hard, and after swimming into the open sea we had to buckle up. It was pumping pretty good. As it later turned out, it’s much more relaxing to be on your feet while rocking than in a sitting position. In the upright position, the vestibular apparatus was busy maintaining balance and not so spamming the brain with messages about the loss of the nyajesta center. However, after sailing across Cook Inlet, the rain subsided and I went looking for exits to the deck.

Judging by the number of people on deck, there weren’t many idiots on board.

But it was only when I looked around that the fact of the dripping rain shrank to insignificance….. The views overboard were mesmerizing!

Enjoying the views of the Marlboro sounds fjords I climbed to the very roof.

Upstairs, spectator seats were found, which are sure to be popular in good weather

Since the wind had died down, while sailing through the intricacies of the bays, and the swell of the water had dropped to flat, ran down to the dining room.

I spent an hour eating, reading the Interislander ferry company newsletter, learning that the ferry once sank and that there was a fast ferry a couple years ago, but it was unprofitable and was shut down.

Stepping out onto the deck once again, we discovered that we had already arrived and were about to dock. Picton is a small harbor town with a population of about 3,000. By Russian standards it is a village, but there is an airport, a couple of supermarkets, a dozen restaurants and many other interesting things.

When I was planning my route, looking at Google maps, there was an aquarium near the ferry terminal that I definitely wanted to visit. Entering the building, I realized that I didn’t understand what the auntie at the reception was telling me, but while she was explaining to me that the entrance cost 24 dollars, it turned out that I was Russian and the auntie, smiling slyly, disappeared somewhere in the office building. While I was recovering from the shock that I really couldn’t understand English by ear, my aunt returned in the company of another woman who spoke ordinary Russian! In general, citizens of New Zealand and those temporarily in Picton, know! Our compatriot Lyusya works at the aquarium; she, however, is not a guide, but she will be happy to give you a tour in Russian. 🙂

The aquarium turned out to be dark and I didn’t take pictures except in the most lighted areas.

The cricket is present in live form, but it was not possible to view it in the wilds of the extensive enclosure. The size of the ‘cricket’ is up to 7cm, how loud it crickets is not reported but is implied. Overall I really enjoyed it, although there wasn’t a lot of wildlife, but it was all caught off the coast of New Zealand and on the shore itself too.

The streets in Picton have uncomplicated names 🙂 Auckland Street intersects with Dublin Street, there’s also Oxford Street, Wellington Street and the local Broadway to name a few.

What is interesting is that it rains there constantly because of the proximity of the sea, but there is no mud inherent in Russian villages, moreover, cleanliness is perfect!

While walking to the hostel, the rain intensified and I got thoroughly soaked.

Sequoia Backpackers hostel, highly recommended. Warm, dry and very homely. Large clean kitchen, fireplace and complimentary breakfast.

While drying off/settling in, the rain subsided and I went to see the remaining three streets of Picton.

But I didn’t get far, the rain poured again and I got soaked for the second time 🙂 .

The third time I got out was when it hadn’t rained for about an hour and the sun was even starting to appear in the sky. All the New Zealand greenery, after the rain looked just inexpressibly beautiful!

Actually it rained again here 🙂 Read the continuation in the next honor. The next morning it rained.