Wellington

Left Kaikoura for Wellington on Thursday 15th. The journey involved a bus journey to Picton and then the Inter-Islander ferry over to Wellington. The ferry journey was great, although you had to fight off the feeling of sick-sickness all the way. I was lucky. Kat's crossing a day later was much rougher and it was all she could do to lay down somewhere and keep her eyes shut! The Cook Straight is renowned for being a tad blowy.

On leaving Picton you pass through Malborough Sound - a collection of Islets and peninsulas - and they're truly beautiful.

It's then open sea for the next hour or so but you can see the North Island all the way. It was strangely sad saying goodbye to the South Island... I really enjoyed my time there and as I had always intended to spend longer on the South, it became synonymous with my trip drawing closer to its end.

Arriving in Wellington, you can see why its called the 'Windy city'. I looked rather like I'd been to visually impaired hairdresser and had caught a 'rosy' glow from the sun t'boot. It's always good to know you look your best.

Wellington, being the capital, was a little bit of a shock to the system after small towns and laid-back atmospheres on the South. I became, for want of a better way of putting it, somewhat disillusioned with it all. The tiredness had caught up on me and I came to a grinding halt. What this surmounted to was eating lots of crunchy bars, drinking lots of tea and sitting around reading my book (Thanks Pol - Shadow of the Wind was great!) until it was finished. I didn't even venture further than having a brief ramble round the block.

The next day I felt more life-like and went for another ramble - this time taking in the main centre and the like (lots of shops, cafes and restaurants basically - ooh and a harbour). I met Kat at lunchtime and we ventured into Te Papa museum. What a delight it was too.

First off saw a mini show of Mouri songs etc. I managed to avoid (this time!) being dragged up to have a go at learning how to use the 'poi' (balls things on strings that the Mouri women use with such expertise, you can't help but think it must be easy - not on your nelly!). We then ventured onto each floor and its different displays. It's all very interactive and visually stunning in places. What shocked me was learning about how precariously placed NZ is on a major fault-line and that they're well over due for a major earthquake. Scary. I had my fill of earthquakes in Thailand thank you.

Te Papa is so extensive that Kat and I had to take a breather and get some lunch. Whilst this may seem trivial detail, a strange but true fact about NZ came to light during it. I bought a frittata slice thing (lots of potato and egg) off the deli in a supermarket and when opening the tub it had been put in, commented on a funny smell. Thinking it must be me, I was just about to take a bite when Kat pointed to mould growing on the side of it. On closer inspection, it was very much 'on the turn' having started solidifying on the base - thank god I didn't take a bite! To the point, on returning the food to the supermarket (Kat had bought a slice too) we were offered a 200% refund! Now there's a thing! Could be onto something here.... It bought beer.

A nice sculpture in Wellington

So, a (terrible) Thai meal and a good natter later, I was off to bed for some much needed sleep before my departure the next day to a place called Napier.... Sleep. It would be nice if I could get any. I have had my eyes opened (literally) to the issue of snoring. It's amazing how many people snore - men and women! Whilst understanding that it can't be helped, I'm at the point of utter frustration and run the risk of slipping into a sleep-deprived pillow throwing frenzy at the next snorer I encounter. I sit here with large dark circles under my eyes. Last night this lovely old lady was snoring. What's a girl to do? My own form of self defence is to wriggle (if they are sharing a bunk with me) thus bringing them a little out of the deep sleep they are in and preventing the snoring for all of two minutes. People must think I have some kind of ADHD problem when sleeping. And no, ear plugs are no good. Either the snores reverberate through the bed, or I need to hear my alarm clock in the morning. Personally speaking, I'm thinking of starting a campaign that gently requests snorers get their own room. Surely that's not unreasonable?