Hitchhikign in New Zealand: Ferry and night in Piction

Hitchhikign in New Zealand: Ferry and night in Piction

6th of July, 2025.

The ferry is really huge. Me being me, I struggle a little bit to find “the perfect” spot to be. Almost all the seats which look newer and more comfy, are facing each other, meaning you would have to be face to face, for 3.5 hours, with someone you don’t know and most likely will not talk to. But that’s also what happens in travel buses and airplane, isn’t? Although in that case you are “only” side by side. Well, but at least here I have a choice, and I choose one armchair in the only section of the boat where you are not facing anybody. And I got a window seat.

I thought I would have so much time to do loads of stuff but I actually don’t. I manage to do some reading, and organise some of my photos, but that’s it.

I also eat the leftovers from last night. So once I arrive to Picton, I only need to find a place to stay, and don’t need to worry about food.

I take a look on the map for churches nearby. I wonder if any of them will be open. This will be my first night camping in the South Island, and I would definitely rather stay inside rather than just camp.

The first church I approach is not simply open but it seems to be full of people. That strikes me with surprise. And then I remember that it’s Sunday.

As I walk in, I’m extremely welcomed by a lovely lady who is organizing the snacks for after the service. Most of the people are still inside the temple, but there are a few here in the hall.

I explain a little bit to the lady about my travels but I don’t really have the chance to tell her that I came here looking for shelter. She tells me I should make myself a cup of tea (or coffee) and eat whatever I want, as much as I want. It’s a beautiful table full of different stuff. As I’ve had my dinner already, I only have some fruits and sweets, like cakes and biscuits. Everything is delicious. They also have popcorn, and when I tell the lady that popcorn is my favourite food, she immediately empty a container and starts filling it with popcorn. She also gives me 2 apples.

During all this time I talk with different people, and so does this lady, trying to find a place for me to stay tonight. Everybody is really nice but nobody seems able to help.

All of sudden, I start talking with a woman who has some lovely notes of blue on her gorgeous white hair. That’s actually how the conversation starts, with me complementing her hair. When she asks me who am I, and in a few seconds I tell her, she immediately tells me that I can come and stay with them. Just like that. Soon after that I meet her husband, Dave, and we all leave in their car towards their home. Another lady is coming with us, but in her own car, to also stay overnight.

They live in an absolutely stunning house. Very stylish and artist, just like both of them. Vonny is a painter and Dave plays different music instruments. He also plays at church. It’s funny that, when they say to have a puppy inside, I probably imagined anything but a huge —-. He is a puppy, only 6 months old, and he is absolutely gorgeous, with eyes of different colors. Heterocromia. But yeah, he’s also huge! His name is Bowie and he’s so adorable that I love him since the first second.

They all have some soup but as I’m feeling quite full, I only have some fruit tea. At the church, I was so excited that I’ve had two coffees. A relaxing fruit tea should help.

We talk for a while and then we go to sleep. They have many bedrooms available, so sometimes they rent the whole house for tourists. But they also have a separate cabin which they also rent on AirBnb. I stay in a marvelous bedroom.

I hear possums for the first time that night. They sound funny. And that’s because they sound as they are laughing. So hyenas, geckos and possums.

I wake up to Vonny preparing some eggs and bacon for breakfast. As I told them last night that I’m a vegetarian, she tells me I can have some Muesli. Yay! She also makes me a lovely coffee, in this super cool and retro style coffee machine they have.

I now can see the gorgeous view outside. The house is on the top of a hill, with a view to the harbour. It’s beautiful! There are so many boats here though, and I wasn’t expecting that. Dave tells me that most of these boats are owned by people from Auckland. What? That’s crazy.

I like how their house is decorated to a minimal but everything is gorgeous. Like the most beautiful chessboard I’ve ever seen; on top of the most beautiful wooden chest I’ve ever seen. There are incredible paintings all over, and Vonny is an artist herself too. She paints beautiful landscape pictures.

Dave offers to take me down to the outskirts of Picton, from where I can start hitchhiking. They make a pray for me before I leave.

I’m so grateful and feel so blessed for staying with this lovely and generous family.