New Zealand: Day 8: Picton

Picton is a really small town, with just about 400 or so inhabitants, I heard. I wanted to go see the Marlborough Sound and walk along the Queen Charlotte Trail, but to walk along that trail I have to take a ferry that leaves way early in the morning and is really expensive, and I wouldn’t be back for my bus in time, sadly.

So Instead, I walked along Shakespeare’s bay via queen Charlotte drive — nice scenic “drive.” I was temped to knock on the door of the random sheep farm I passed and offer help, but it didn’t look like anyone was home so I didn’t. On the way back down, an old gramps stopped his car and asked me if I needed a ride. I judged him for a bit and decided he was harmless. His name is Kevin, and he even dropped me off in front of my hostel! Which was actually very on the way, but ain’t the point. First successful hitchhike of my life. May all remember this day.

Fish and chips on wellington — 6.50 NZD for fish and a scoop of chips, and $1 for the sauces. the serving was huge.. Turns out one scoop is way too much. But it looked amazing and I started digging in… But something about the oil that they used made me nauseous ugh.

The ride from Picton to Nelson took a while, but my host for today and friday — Stephen — picked me up from the city, and he is really chill. All my convos with him were super natural and relaxed! He’s also a lotr fan and a movie collector. He had arundil!! Dropped me back off in the morning too. He even offered that I use his sleeping bag if I hadn’t found one (which I had actually hoped for before buying this one, but sort of glad I did buy it.. Since he has a cat) and he also would have driven me all the way to Anatoki salmon farm too (which I am planning to visit in Takaka after my hike)! Wth does this guy do for a living, since he has way too much time. But unfortunately, I’ve planned out my life already, and he’s working on Friday. Sigh, would have saved me much time planning, time traveling, and money, but oh well. Can’t take toooo much advantage of how generous this guy is!

I spent the rest of the night watching the Hobbit movies! Good day.