For our second day in Nelson, we decided to venture up the coast to the Golden Bay area, to see the world's cleanest freshwater springs, and perhaps head a bit further north to a long sand spit with some nice walks and a bird sanctuary. In the morning we had to take the car for an oil change/tune up and after that was done we headed off a little after lunch. Google maps once again said the drive would only take 1 1/2 hours. This is because even on the winding, steep roads the speed limit is still 100 kilometers for some reason. The road to Golden Bay was unnecessarily long, and very, very windy--one of my least favorite roads so far, just behind Taupo road I'd say. Anyway, it was nauseatingly bad and the drive ended up taking at least 2 hours. By the time we got close to our destination neither of us was in a particularly good mood and we arrived much later than we thought we would.
We went and saw the freshwater spring first, called Pupu Springs, and apart from some water under the Ross ice shelf in Antarctica, this was the clearest/cleanest freshwater spring in the world. However, they had closed the springs to any human contact back in 2006 to stop the spread of a certain algae that was polluting the water. So nowadays, you can look but you can't touch.
We went and saw the freshwater spring first, called Pupu Springs, and apart from some water under the Ross ice shelf in Antarctica, this was the clearest/cleanest freshwater spring in the world. However, they had closed the springs to any human contact back in 2006 to stop the spread of a certain algae that was polluting the water. So nowadays, you can look but you can't touch.
As we were making our way along the short 10 minute path to the springs I noticed the distinct smell of marijuana in the air. As we were the only people on the track from what I could see, I wasn't sure if that's indeed what it was or where it was coming from. That question was answered upon arrival to the springs where two creepy foreign dudes with bad hair and bad hygiene were smoking pot and drinking energy drinks. Despite all the signs, the guy was sticking his hand through the rail and splashing it in the water. Complete and total wastes of human beings. The area had plenty of signs explaining how the waters were very sacred for the Maori people, and these guys were exhibiting zero respect. I guess they thought they were super cool, but they really just ruined the walk for John and myself as they kept stopping at random places to smoke and at one point took a picture of us as we were walking up the path. Idiots. I held my tongue as saying something probably would have caused more trouble, so John and I just ignored them and made our way back to the car.
After the nauseating ride we had, we wanted to do something else to make it worth the drive, which was going to be a tall feat. We decided against driving further north and going to the sand spit as we simply didn't have the time. Instead I found another short walk in the area called The Groves, and it was an eerie yet scenic little path through all these limestone rocks carved away over the years by water. There were tree roots and vines hanging down all over the place--it was kinda cool. The last part led you through a split in between to huge rocks out onto a lookout landing where you could see over the tiny little town.
After the nauseating ride we had, we wanted to do something else to make it worth the drive, which was going to be a tall feat. We decided against driving further north and going to the sand spit as we simply didn't have the time. Instead I found another short walk in the area called The Groves, and it was an eerie yet scenic little path through all these limestone rocks carved away over the years by water. There were tree roots and vines hanging down all over the place--it was kinda cool. The last part led you through a split in between to huge rocks out onto a lookout landing where you could see over the tiny little town.
It was a fun little voyage, but at this point we were ready to get back to the hostel and relax.
The next day we were headed back the way we came. We were going to spend the day in Blenheim visiting the wineries, but all the backpackers in Blenheim didn't have good reviews so we decided to stay back at the Sequoia Lodge in Picton as the towns are only 30 minutes apart. Plus, I love that chocolate pudding! There was a new guy as the manager this time, as he and the woman switch on and off, and he was super nice. Later that night he gave us all these great travel tips for the South Island and was really friendly to talk to.
Blenheim (and Central Otago) are the two wine making areas of the South Island. One of the more notable wineries, Cloudy Bay, is in the area. The two main grapes grown are Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc. We stopped at Cloudy Bay first and had a delicious Pinot Noir that, unfortunately, even at cellar door price, was a bit too much for us to pay on our budget. Maybe once we start working again. . . Anyways, the wines were really good--not that the other group of tourists who came in would know. They came in, went into the barrel room, took pictures, came back out to the cellar room, took pictures with the wine bottles, then left. Without trying anything (and the tasting was free). Weird. We, instead, took no pictures and sampled lots of wine.
We hit a few other wineries on the suggestion of the lady at the Cloudy Bay cellar door. We went to the other big winery in the area Allen Scott, a small winery called Fromm--where the cellar door woman was really nice so we bought a bottle of their (less expensive) Pinot Noir that is supposed to be cellared for 3 more years (and we will TRY, at least, to keep it that long), another small winery called Golden *something* that specialized in Pinot Gris, and another larger winery called Wairau River that had some nice wines as well. Five wineries was plenty for us, so we called it a day and headed back to our hostel in Picton. The next day it was off to Kaikoura!
The next day we were headed back the way we came. We were going to spend the day in Blenheim visiting the wineries, but all the backpackers in Blenheim didn't have good reviews so we decided to stay back at the Sequoia Lodge in Picton as the towns are only 30 minutes apart. Plus, I love that chocolate pudding! There was a new guy as the manager this time, as he and the woman switch on and off, and he was super nice. Later that night he gave us all these great travel tips for the South Island and was really friendly to talk to.
Blenheim (and Central Otago) are the two wine making areas of the South Island. One of the more notable wineries, Cloudy Bay, is in the area. The two main grapes grown are Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc. We stopped at Cloudy Bay first and had a delicious Pinot Noir that, unfortunately, even at cellar door price, was a bit too much for us to pay on our budget. Maybe once we start working again. . . Anyways, the wines were really good--not that the other group of tourists who came in would know. They came in, went into the barrel room, took pictures, came back out to the cellar room, took pictures with the wine bottles, then left. Without trying anything (and the tasting was free). Weird. We, instead, took no pictures and sampled lots of wine.
We hit a few other wineries on the suggestion of the lady at the Cloudy Bay cellar door. We went to the other big winery in the area Allen Scott, a small winery called Fromm--where the cellar door woman was really nice so we bought a bottle of their (less expensive) Pinot Noir that is supposed to be cellared for 3 more years (and we will TRY, at least, to keep it that long), another small winery called Golden *something* that specialized in Pinot Gris, and another larger winery called Wairau River that had some nice wines as well. Five wineries was plenty for us, so we called it a day and headed back to our hostel in Picton. The next day it was off to Kaikoura!
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