May 22, Friday, Picton, NZ

I managed to get a photo or two as we sailed into Queen Charlotte Sound to Picton.

Picton is a town in the Marlborough district on the South Island.  Capt Cook came here to provision his boat and repair.  It is said he spent more time in Picton than anywhere else on his travels.  This area is famous for its wine.  In fact this region produces 77% of NZ wine, particularly Sauvignon Blanc.  Many other guests went on wine tours.

Lone tree on this tiny island

We got off the ship directly onto our sightseeing ship where for 2 1/2 hours we cruised the Sound.  A sound is a waterway created by a river.  A fjord is a body of water formed by glaciers.  New Zealand has an abundance of both.  Queen Charlotte Sound is naturally deep, 45 meters, ideal for a port.

On our cruise we saw the blue penguin, the smallest penguin species.  I didn't get a photo, but they truly looked like a penguin and were alone out in the sound fishing.  

We saw a seal swimming around.  They twirl as they swim.  Then we saw another one on a rock sunning himself, and then three on  someone's dock.  

There are many isolated holiday homes along the shoreline.  Most have electricity, and some even are connected by roads.

Returning to Picton.  The island ferry pulling in next to our Insignia

After our cruise we were let off at the city center where we walked up and down the small little town.  We found a restaurant that featured blue lipped mussels, and pavlova.  

Green lipped mussels.  They sell them frozen from NZ at Sack n Save!  Just as delicious.

Pavlova dessert with a delicious green fruit called Feijoa.

The beautiful mussels are farmed in the Sound's clear waters.  They were large, but unbelievably tender and sweet.  The edge of the shells were aqua color.  The desert, pavlova, has fruit and merengue and ice cream.  I got the fish and chips, or "fush n chups".  The potatoes are local Agria variety, yellow in color and the skins crispy and are delicious.   We even got a glass of local wine, Stoneleigh Pinot gris.

A beautiful day in a beautiful little town, sunny but chilly - 55 degrees, so we were glad to get back to the boat to get warm.