Peace out Marlborough!

10/5/11

Sean and I atop one of the 240K tanks. Last Day!

Ahoy! Let the traveling begin, I say.  We completed our contracts with Indevin on 5 May, attended an amazing post-vintage party on a boat and a resort in the beautiful Marlborough Sounds.  What’s been going on the last few weeks you may ask?

Well, I’ll just give you the exciting details…when grapes stopped coming in, hoses, clamps..reducers…hardlines, all became available and that made work extremely enjoyable.  Searching for the tools you need before you start a job for three hours tends to wear on you a bit.

Now on to the holidays:

Maarja and Martin at the Rugby game in Nelson

23/4 Sean, Maarja, Martin and myself rented a car (which was an adventure in itself) and headed to Nelson for a Super Rugby game (Pro-Rugby).  It was the Christchurch Crusaders Vs. Otago Highlanders; Sean and I were rooting for the Highlanders since that’s where we’ll be relocating to.

Sean, Lacey, Josh and Rob in Kiakora

30/4 The following weekend, Lacey, Sean, Rob, Josh and me took off for Kaikora; a couple hours down the east coast from Blenheim.  It was Lacey’s last day before heading back to Washington to her awesome new job and boyfriend in Eastern WA.  So, Rob treated us to a fantastic afternoon on the beach, while he, Josh and Lacey did some snorkeling for Crayfish (Pacific Lobster) and Paua (Abalone).  Unfortunately, only one Paua was retrieved…and we didn’t eat that night.  BUT we did sample many-a-good wines from Rob & Josh’s winery: Foxes Island.  Definitely a good day, but Sean and I had to head back to Blenheim early for work Sunday so our holiday was cut short.

Allison and I on the boat, heading out of Picton

6/5 “The Boat Trip”: Wow what a great day.  Indevin provided the best post-vintage extravaganza I have ever heard of.  We assembled at the i-site (bus/train station) at 0850, wine in hand.  After a short bus ride (about 1.5 beers long) to Picton, we boarded a ~ 100ft party boat (open top, lots of room) to find coolers stocked with beers and a keg.  At this early hour, it was important to pace one’s self so I nursed a beer for an hour or so.  Enough about the drinking, I’ll get back to that later, the Marlborough Sounds are absolutely beautiful.  The Marlborough Sounds reminded me of the holiday-feel of Puget Sound, but with the isolated and sheer beauty of Southeast Alaska.

Why they let Hannah steer was beyond us.... ;)

After a two-hour boat ride, we reached Forneaux Lodge (boat or hike-in only) a cool resort/backpackers/restaurant that was ours for the day!  Now, back to the booze: a table full of wines and beers…just for us!  Okay, now back to the party: hanging out down at the beach, tossing the rugby ball, and laughing with all our mates we made during vintage, some that we may never see again.  Then again, many we hope to sooner, rather than later.

Afterwards, entailed a couple more days of good-byes, and preparing for our next adventure.

Our Car!

Sean and I bought a car and all our travel goodies and planned for the next few days:  currently on our way out of Blenheim heading to Motueka about 3 hours NW of Marlborough.  I have requested a stop in Nelson at the Starbucks…AYAYAYAYAYAAAAAAAAA. We’re gonna check into a sweet backpackers tonight, then do some hiking and exploring of Abel Tasman National Park for 1-2 days before heading to Karamea for a night.  Then we’ll make our way down the west coast…for sure stopping at the glacial hot springs at the Franz-Joseph Glacier.  I’ve heard the glaciers here aren’t that impressive…but I’ve seen some before so I won’t be heartbroken!  After traveling for a couple weeks, we’ll be settling in Wanaka for the winter to get jobs and snowboard our little hearts out.

Cheers!