Day 39: Picton

This post will hopefully be brief tonight, not because we didn’t have a fantastic day (we did), but because it was a simple day that can be described in few words. Today’s port of Picton is a small town that serves as a gateway to the South Island, with large interisland ferries connecting it to Wellington, the southernmost city on the North Island. It is a tourist haven, and, due to the many hiking trails (called tracks) in the area, hosts a lot of backpackers, with hotels advertising beds for $20 NZD ($14 USD) per night. This was the Golden Princess’ maiden call to Picton. It was also the only time we’ll stop here this season; our next cruise to New Zealand has slightly different ports.  

I was dragging this morning, even more than I was dragging yesterday morning (before we hiked up and down the hillsides of the Banks Peninsula for hours). We had no firm plans for the day, but the research we had done yesterday evening while we still had cellular internet indicated that today’s port, Picton, was either a walk around port or one best viewed from the water. G was up and out early again, and wanted to walk off the ship as soon as it was docked to check out the availability of local tours. I sent him off with a request to find a boat tour where we could sit and have the scenery come to us. 

A common site in New Zealand ports

I was in the Horizon Court Buffet eating breakfast (I broke with tradition today and had apple segments dipped in peanut butter and topped with pumpkin seeds) with my iPhone connected to the local cellular network. We are using an app called Zello which functions like a walkie talkie when we are both on the internet, and G stayed in touch with me as he boarded a shuttle bus for the 10 minute ride from the freight port to the center of Picton. After a short time he asked me come into town, bring a credit card and dress warmly.

We were greeted by locals and gifted corsages

Picton waterfront. I still haven’t mentally reconciled palm trees and chilly weather. 

Loved these!

He met me as soon as I got off the bus, and was carrying a grocery sack with a bag of potato chips and air popped popcorn for snacks and Cokes and a water bottle. We walked around the harbor to a small office where we purchased tickets for a three-hour scenic boat ride on the Marlborough Sounds, the expansive waterways on the northern border of the South Island of New Zealand. The tour is called the Captain Cook Mail Boat tour, and cost $80 NZD ($56 USD) per person. The boat was fantastic, and provided a comfortable ride, with an enclosed area below and open seating on the upper deck. 

Mail Boat Cruises

A view of the Golden Princess

The day was mostly overcast, with temps in the high 50s, and though we occasionally saw the sun, it never cleared up in the afternoon as it had in Port Chalmers and Akaroa. Still, the hills surrounding the many inlets were beautiful. We received a great narrative for the first half of the trip, discussing the history and geology of the region and had the opportunity to see New Zealand King Comorants, New Zealand Fur Seals, two dolphins and, thrill of thrills, several blue penguins in a cluster on the water’s surface. Our captain/narrator told us that was almost unheard of, to see them socializing like that mid day. 

The burned trees are a non-native species they are trying to eradicate from New Zealand. 

Socializing blue penguins

New Zealand King Cormorant

Our intended destination was the Cook Monument at Ship Cove, where Captain Cook first came ashore in his boat Endeavour in 1770 and then landed four more times over the next three years. It is reachable only by boat, and, in addition to the monument, there was some informative signage there explaining the history and significance of the cove. We had about 20 minutes to explore that area and then re-boarded the boat for the ride back to Picton. 

Our route through the Marlborough Sounds

The Marlborough Sounds

Outward Bound sailing school boat

The CookMonument 

Cannon from the Resolution

Variable oystercatcher, endemic to New Zealand

It was the perfect excursion after two busy days, and held more appeal than simply walking around the shops of Picton. We boarded a shuttle back to the port and collapsed for a hour in our cabin before we needed to get cleaned up for dinner. 

Tonight was the Most Traveled Guest cocktail party for this cruise. The string of port days plus the fact that Captain D is leaving us in two days precluded a luncheon, and I was very happy about that. The party was held in Skywalkers at 7pm, though we stayed and chatted with new Staff Captain Mario until nearly 9pm. What a nice guy! 

After a quick stop in the Horizon Court Buffet for a cup of hot water to make rooibos tea, we decided sleep was more appealing than seeing Steve Larkins second Mercury Rising show at 9:45pm (though it was a tough choice). We still have four more port days in a row; this New Zealand cruise is not for sissies!