Picton, NZ: A Missed Port Visited

Apr 11

The saying, "Good things come to those who wait" couldn't be more true with our arrival at our first port of call.

We missed Picton on our last cruise due to stormy seas. What a treat to arrive in calm and sunshine.

"Nestled in the heart of the majestic Marlborough Sounds, Picton is quite possibly the prettiest seaside town in New Zealand. There are plenty of activities to keep visitors entertained, from bush walks and kayaking to wine tours and fishing trips. With a wide range of accommodation options, plus plenty of cafés and restaurants to enjoy, Picton is great for a night or a week."


Our cruise dock was shared with the lumber industry. Interesting.
"James Cook's association with Picton revolves around his frequent visits to Ship Cove during his three voyages of exploration (in 1770, 1773, and 1774). Picton is the closest town to Ship Cove, his favorite anchorage."




Who doesn't love a clever sandwich board?
I saw these two items in a thrift shop and had to smile. A swimsuit from California and a hat from Alcatraz somehow found their way to this quaint, little New Zealand town. Funny stuff.


And how gorgeous is this façade? Oxley's Hotel, originally known as the 'Bank Hotel', was built around 1870. Everything of the original building, behind what is seen now, was demolished in 2004. What's left has been deemed historic.
A must was a visit to the Coathanger Bridge. Its height was designed to accommodate the passage of tall sailboats. The summit also provides wonderful, elevated views. WOW.

Just no cannonballs or diving!

Our lunch might have been deemed one of our favorites. Dining at Sisu was the perfect choice.

We ordered adventurously (for us), "Tempura battered cabbage, black sesame & cumin; Middlehurst Lamb- Backstrap seared, gremolata, capers, carrot crisps, garlic coconut yogurt; Spinach Pancakes with Cranky Goat feta, strawberries, Murphy's black garlic; and mushrooms stuffed with herb cream cheese wrapped in bacon." Yum!

A history lesson was had, too. The Edwin Fox is arguably one of New Zealand's best kept secrets. One of the oldest merchant ship left in the world (1853), it is the last remaining convict ship that took convicts to Australia. And here it is in Picton.


At one of our trivia games, we learned that New Zealanders eat, per capita, more ice cream than any other country... 7.5 gallons each person, each year. We had to try it out.
After one test sample, we're not quite sure what all the fuss is about but we're willing to try again in another port.
We ended our evening on the patio of one of the most fun bars- EVER. The Texas Tea Bar and Grill was filled with locals, and a few Royal Caribbean cruisers. The revelry was infections. We loved every second of it.



What a touching last photo. This memorial commemorates the residents of Picton who were killed or missing in World War I (12 names) and World War II (31 names) and also commemorates those who fought and died in the conflicts in Korea, Malaya, Borneo and South Vietnam. On April 25th, we will be aboard the ship for Anzac Day, a national day of remembrance in Australia, New Zealand, and Tonga that broadly commemorates all Australians and New Zealanders "who served and died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations" and "the contribution and suffering of all those who have served". It will be an emotional Day 18
As we continue on, 7,000 miles from home, it's comforting to know we are all looking up at the same moon, a beacon of connectiveness. The journey home continues, as does the fun!

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