NZ2008 - Southern Swirl: Day 8

After biding farewell to some of our friends in Christchurch, we continued to head north, catching the spectacular views along the Kaikoura Coastline.

 

Coastal road to Kaikoura

 

We then had a quick stop at the Kaikoura town centre where we get to see a skate-boarding dog.

 

Skate-boarding dog

Kaikoura

 

We were also lucky to spot one of the many Seal colonies in this area.

 

Seals

 

Continuing northwards, we head on to Picton, where the inter-island ferry terminal is located. 

 

Nice sceneries along the way

 

Arriving at the ferry terminal, this is where we boarded the inter-island ferry allowing us to hop between the South and North island through the Marlborough Sound and the Cook Strait.

 

Ferry terminal

 

The Interislander ferry service travels a distance of 92 kilometres (approximately 3 hours) across the Cook Strait. It was said to be “one of the most beautiful ferry rides in the world”, “New Zealand’s most iconic tourist experiences”, and “one of the most spectacular cruises in the world”. On-board the ferry, they provided a host of services such as comfortable seatings and lounges, movie screening in the on-board cinemas, on-board shops, amusement area and food courts.

 

Ferry’s interior

 

Cruising through Malborough Sound and the Cook Strait, we were treated by spectaculars views. Besides, we were also told that we were lucky the weather wasn’t too rough.

 

Our cruising route

 

Views along the cruise

 

Back on terra firma, it's a drive along the scenic waterfront …

 

Wellington waterfront

 

… and up to Mount Victoria, before arriving into Wellington, a cosmopolitan city famed for its cafes, restaurants and trendy bars.

 

Views from Mount Victoria

 

Wellington is the capital of New Zealand, situated at the south western tip of the North Island between the Cook Strait and the Rimutaka Range. Although this is my second time in Wellington, I decided to walk around the city to check out what’s the CBD like on a new year’s eve.

 

 

Wellington CBD

 

As a majority of the workforce in Wellington do not stay within the city, only a small population of people were in the city to celebrate the New Year with an outdoor countdown party and concert. Here, we bid farewell to the group who will continue on with the North Island tour while we prepared for our flight home the next morning.