Going back to the north island turned out to be an extraordinary and very pleasant experience for us all.
Waiting our turn:
After leaving the town of Nelson, we landed up in the harbour of Picton in the later part of the afternoon.
We lined up our cars for boarding the ferry, while it was still sunny and warm. It was somewhat tiring sitting in our cars waiting for so long. So we would get out our car every now and again and walk up and down next to the other cars also queuing.
Walking up and down on gravel with no shade got uncomfortable too because the sun was unrelenting. So we would take turns popping in and our cars, trying to avoid the heat of the sun. We repeated this transitional act several times, back and forth for what seems hours and hours.
What a load!!
And when it was time to load up the ferry, we first watched the bigger vehicles been moved onto the ferry. And let me tell you these ferries between the north and south islands of New Zealand aren’t little tiny boats… they are huge, and unbelievably massive.
hey have to be. They not only carry cars, but they carry huge trucks and trains. You got it… trains with their trucks. This fact blew my husband’s mind, to see these enormously hefty things been shunted onto the ferry, and one after the other!
Once on the ferry:
When it’s your turn to drive on, you are guided in, lined up and docked into place. Your car’s wheels are clamped into place securely. And so you realize the trains also were locked securely into place too… Well…
Not so, evidently… sometimes things can go wrong.
A few months after been back in South Africa, we heard about one of those ferries having lost a train in very heavy seas. It’s a mind boggling thought…
It must have been much worse than what we experienced that particular day as we travelled back to Wellington harbour. We could feel the big waves force the ship to climb and roll down with every wave.
In your mind you tell yourself, the people` running the show’ must know what they are about. So you don’t worry too much. You just enjoy the thrill of the experience.
The scenes we saw:
While travelling through the fiord canals before hitting the open sea, the water was fairly calm peaceful though.
Our son and I took these photos of the ford mountain ranges and islands:
Aren’t they beautiful with the last of the sun rays caressing them?
Any houses you see nestled on steep mountain sides (making roads impossible) close to the water edge, gives you the impression that the people living in them must have their own boats, to independently go out shopping, etc, to comfortably live there, far away and isolated from any big cities.
Then out to sea:
The sun was setting by the time we came out to the open sea. We tried to take photos of the sun setting, but it was very difficult with the rolling of the boat. Anyway, I thought it would be fantastic if I could paint that experience. So here is the oil painting I’ve done, of the sun setting over the Tasman Sea:
It was dark by the time we got to Wellington harbour:
And very late that night, by the time we got back to our grandson’s house in Palmerston North. Quickly unloading our cars, etc., we were glad to find our beds and fall happily to sleep.
I still have more to show you of the north island, so stick around to see what else we did and saw…
The Marlborough sounds are absolutely beautiful:) I loved it there so much.
How did you find the ferry ride in terms of choppy water? When I went on it I got very sea sick due to extreme rocking of the ferry! But yes, they’re huge!
I hope you had a great time on the South Island and I can’t wait to see some of your posts (and painting) of the north island:) are you planning on travelling it much or heading somewhere to stay for a bit?
At least the weather will be slightly warmer the further up north you go, but it looks like a lovely day! I remember even in otago in the middle of winter on a clear day the sun would still feel warm:) have a great time
Hi. I never got sea sick. It was too much fun to even think about sea sickness!
We went home to our children's place, and then they took us places again. They really went out of they way to give us a good time.
Hmm Tasman sea is just awesome. I mean just look at the sunset views there. It is none other than a phenomenon. The landscape looks wonderful. The fact that the ferries can take up so much load like trains and trucks astonished me a lot just like ya husband. At the end the painting u made was just incredible. It looked really very real and brilliant. Keep up the good work @artguru.
I am really impressed with the beauty of New Zealand.
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Your painting is very vivid and full of energy! The suns creates a dazzling effect as real as the 'real' sun. Ok, maybe a bit exaggerated but you know what I mean. :)
As to the ferries and the trains, it is indeed very astonishing to think of the weights at play. When you see a train or a truck on the street we think it has to be very heavy, so seeing so many of them roll onto a ferry quickly makes us feel as if the ferry has to sink due to the weight. But it doesn't.
Amazing how powerful constructions human hand is capable of creating :)
The original even looks better, as to the glare of the sunrays. Sadly, my camera just doesn't do justice to close ups!
photography is perfect, elegant colors, very beautiful sights.
It looks such a wonderful city. The all photos looks really great. Hope you will enjoy your extended day too. It will definitely be a wonderful memory.thanks for sharing.
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You have enjoyed your tour very much and taken so many beautiful pictures of sunset in New zealand at Tasman sea & other places.
When in New Zealand you think you have gone to heaven!
I'd love to live in New Zealand some day if i can afford it, it's such a beautiful place
I would like to live there too, but I live in South Africa.
When I'm finished writing up on our trip to New Zealand, I intend to write up our trip through South Africa's Kruger National Park.
The moment the sun will set it is a good time to relax while enjoying the sunset let alone the middle of the sea.certainly very exciting
Like photography @artguru
A challenging holiday is indeed a great experience, New Zealand is one of the most beautiful countries in the world and a favorite tourist destination.
We thank you for sharing your experience with us @artguru
Wonderful sunset views over the sea. The horizon looks wonderful and color filled. The landscape view is simply tremendous. Love the travels of the Tasman sea. Would love to visit the place someday. The painting you made in the last is the most worth watching of the whole post. Lovely work. Thanks for sharing.
These are some breathtaking shots.
Are you a professional photographer.
I never get tired of watching the sea photographs and sunsets.
Really amazing photographs.
All photos are very relaxing amazing photos.that combination of the new-zealand city with nature is very well appreciated, very pleasant.really sunset looks spectacular.amazing creative photo. Thanks for sharing friend greetings.
followed your blog.
earthly paradise, be enchanted, getting lost on the island of Lord Howe is much more than living an adventure in paradise. It is to enter an exuberant island full of treasures to disconnect from the world, without mobile coverage and with a barrier of coral to discover in solitude. A paradise for its beauty, its wild nature and its crystal clear waters.
Here the days pass slowly, and peace and tranquility are breathed in every corner. In addition, with a touch of exclusivity, since only 400 people are allowed to reach the island at once. There is only a small town, with only one main street, and practically no traffic, with bicycles being the best means of transport. Worse is another detail that ensures rest: mobile phones have no coverage. On the island of Lord Howe, one can disconnect, but really.