So, checked in for the trip over the Cook Strait. Gives time to write a little more before departure and on the ship. The ship is ‘Aratere’.

My chief guide, as always, is Lonely Planet. Recently I have observed it is slightly out-of-date. Prices are generally off by more than 20%, the wrong way, of course. And the day before yesterday, as I looked for a decent place to dine, I had to conclude that the highly recommended Maori restaurant Kai in the City, must have gone out of business. A Thai restaurant was there in its place.
I have also successfully stayed in hotels and B&Bs not mentioned.

As for dining out; All restaurants were completely filled up! It took a while before I found a table. Oh, that is, all restaurants that were not Indian, Chinese, Thai, Moroccan, etc. There were plenty of seats in those places, but that is not the cuisine I have come to taste. And neither are Wellingtonians, it seems.

Auckland may be the bigger city, but Wellington is much quicker paced, almost hectic, and crammed.

Lost & Found: My sunglasses. I forgot them in a bar yesterday afternoon, but they had taken care of them, so I got them back today.

So far I have not been concerned with security, but the New Zealanders are. I have received plenty of advice not to walk home in the evening or night, and in many bars there are signs reading something like “Please don’t hesitate to notify us if you require safe transport home!” It could be more urgent for the ladies, of course, but no risk has been too evident yet to me.

In fact there seems to be a focus on security here to an extent I have seen nowhere else. ‘Wild forest trails’ are laden with handrails, stairs, and warning signs ‘Do not leave the marked trail!’. The latter would be good advice in geothermal areas.

After Picton I will go to Christchurch and take the scenic train, return trip, to Greymouth. Then we’ll see. Yesterday three lovely young NZ ladies in a restaurant generously shared some tips on what to see down south. I might take up on their advice.

On the ferry.

I see in the onboard magazine that Cook Strait is called Raukawa in Maori. Also, the ship’s name, Aratere, means ‘Quick Path’.

It is very windy outside, and grey. Not very photogenic, but nevertheless impressive. The crossing takes 3 hours.

Everything is as usual neatly arranged. It is impossible to make a mistake.

Check in the suitcases, only hand luggage on board, intoxicated persons will not be allowed to board, use gangway 2, prepare your boarding card. No one runs or pushes ahead. I reach the front seats, which is also the bar. It is already open, and a beer is soon on the table in front of me.

Taken seats are respected, even if only the onboard magazine is used as a marker.

Funny, I am not seasick, even if it is a bit rough. I believe the ship has good stabilizers.

Now we are approaching land, but the trip will go on for a bit longer after we leave the open sea.

Tomorrow the bus to Christchurch.