South Island makes fantastic first impression

Clos Henri vineyard, Blue Mountains
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28th: Left my Wellingtonian home behind me and set out for the South Island. Is about a 3 hour ferry crossing, but I got to watch Happy Feet on the way! So, back to life as a full time backpacker, I arrived in the little port of Picton.

29th: Yet another wine tour! Was the only person on the tour(!), but had a very nice lady driver, Chris. Was absolutey blown away by the scenery as we headed out of Picton into the Marlborough wine country. Already feels so much more spectacular than the North Island...could be at least partly due to the lovely weather though- finally found summer! Today set a bit of a record...11, count 'em 11 wineries in all! Went to about 5 before lunch, most notably this little French- owned place called Clos Henri, with a wooden chapel as a tasting room and amazing views across the vines to the Blue Mountains. Stopped for lunch at Clifford Bay winery in a lovely courtyard surrounded by lavender, and was finally joined on tour by a couple from Canada! The afternoon is somewhat blurry...think I skipped a couple of the tastings in order to stay on my feet! Got back to Picton feeling very content!

View from Clifford Bay winery garden
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30th: Had a lazy day to make up for the excesses of yesterday. Ran into some old friends at the hostel, including my flat mate Steve. Ventured out as far as the Picton Museum, and wished I hadn't!

31st: Set out in the morning to check my bags in for their transfers along the Queen Charlotte Track, then joined the Wildlife tour who were dropping me at the start. Was a beautiful sunny day, really beautiful heading out on the boat into the Marlborough Sounds. We saw some Hector's Dolphins, gannets and shags, and stopped at Motorua Island Bird Sanctuary.