Hitchhiking in New Zealand: Picton (again) and Ferry to Wellington

Hitchhiking in New Zealand: Picton (again) and Ferry to Wellington

15th of July, 2025.

I could’ve, and perhaps I should’ve, checked the ferries before coming here. Why? Tickets are cheaper by the counter than online; and they tend to change the time tables a lot, like cancellations and the whole lot. The only reason why it worth buying a last minute ticket is because then you are “certain” that the ferry is departing, so you don’t need to pay the extra 5 NZD for a refund ticket.

Vonny is really sick. I feel so sorry for her. But the worse is that her older brother just died a few days ago. He was 74 years old and was living in Australia, so she was there for some days. She caught a strong cold somewhere in between.

I take Bowie for a walk on the beach, but we need to be quick because I can see the rain coming closer fast. I love it though. And I’m sure he did it to.

I figure out the time tables for the ferries. I can either catch a super early one with Bluebridge, or an 11 a.m. with InterIslanders. I don’t want to leave here around 6 a.m., so I will take my chances with the 11 o’clock one. That way, I’ll get to Wellington soon after 14.00 hours, which gives me enough time to look for an international adapter and then head to Upper Hutt again, to stay with Niki’s mother, Debbie, for one night.

We have a large and superb dinner: mashed potatoes, green peas, and in my case fried eggs. Vonny and Dave have sausages. Bowie too. Plus a glass of wine. I’m glad I could enjoy some New Zealand wines while here.

Then a surprise: we catch a movie. As Vonny tries to find something interesting, I suggest “Anatomy of a Fall”, just because I see the poster and I’ve heard good things about it. It’s well made, interesting, and the performance of the main actress is extremely impressive.

16th of July, 2025.

After having some porridge and a delicious coffee, I have some really interesting conversation with Vinny and Dave about Israel and some other related religious topics. Time passes so fast that I almost get late for my ferry.

Dave kindly drives me all the way to InterIslanders boarding platform, and before I leave he prays for me. They are both so lovely!

I buy the ticket for 69 NZD and we’ll start boarding soon after 10.00 a.m. I have only enough time to use the toilet and brush my teeth.

I go straight to the same place I stayed last time. Typical. This time, I do manage to do many things on board, mostly online, but I also read a little. Although time seems to pass faster this time. And I also go outside right at the begnning, when we are just leaving the bay, and it’s beautiful!

I didn’t know but the Interislanders have a shuttle bus which takes the passengers to the train station. Terrific! That will save me some 30 minutes walk!

From the train station I walk to a few different shops only to get to know that the universal adapter which I’m looking for it’s not produced in NZ. What a heck? What’s wrong with this country? First the hitchhiking thing sucks, and now this? Really?

So basically I’m screwed, as I cannot charge my laptop in another way.

I walk to outside the town for a while and then I’m picked up by the enthusiastic Jake and Rachael. She even tells me that if I need another place to stay in NZ, I can stay with her. How nice!

And then Rachael drops me off right in front of Niki’s house. Second time I got dropped off right here. Laugh.

The best thing is: Niki hasn’t left yet! Today is actually her last night here. I get to meet her sister, Sara, with whom I also have a lot in common (she was also traveling in India before and she also loved!), to a point that we even look like each other, as we were sisters. Funny. I also get to meet her baby son, her husband, and his teenager daughter.

After having pizza for dinner, I discover a treasure: Debbie’s DVD’s collection. Dear Loki, I’m in heaven! What a nice feeling going through all of them. What a difficult mission to choose only one to watch. I choose a movie which has been popping out among my online researches quite a lot lately, The Passion of Christ, by Mel Gibson.

Debbie and I drink some wine and she watches the first half of the movie with me. Then she goes to sleep and I carry on. I hate the movie! I mean, there’s nothing more apart from everything else I already “knew” about this story, and it’s bloody gore! Rhetorical, I know. I’ve heard about that part too, I just don’t see the point for it. Jesus! No pun intended.

I go to bed quite late, which sucks, but I can’t help myself.