I awoke to stunning views that I had missed when arriving late the previous night. Mountains filled the horizon on one side and the beach on the other.

Breakfast was a simple hard-boiled egg, since I didn’t have any oil, with a little bit of cheese. Just before 9:00 I started the van and began my drive north, needing to be at the Picton wharf by 13:25.

The drive was beautiful and enjoyable, somewhat reminiscent of driving in Hawaii. The road seemed better than the last time I travelled it.

I had brief moments of nostalgia from the last time I drove on the South Island: “I almost ran out of gas there,” “I used that toilet,” “I shopped at this supermarket,” and “I almost ran off the road here.” Driving was easier this time because I had Google Navigation and internet access. In fact, nearly everything was easier. I had downloaded maps of all New Zealand and overlaid my driving schedule, since I didn’t have much room for error. I also liked being able to keep in touch with my family.

I reached Blenheim by 11:00 and found a supermarket. After buying more water, along with gum and honey, I walked to a local cafe for coffee. The foam was fantastic, although the coffee was a little strong.

After coffee, I continued to Picton, now just 30 minutes away. The attendant checking my tickets was cheerful, as most people in New Zealand seem to be, and I lined up in Lane 8. I arrived a little early, so I crawled into the back of my campervan and took a nap. I had been quite tired on this trip, although “tired” may not be the right word. I was simply ready to switch off whenever I didn’t need to drive. It was a relief not to check into hotels or worry about train schedules.

Once my campervan was aboard the ferry, I settled in to play cards, read the news, and chat with others. There was mobile coverage for almost the entire crossing.