We had decided to try the other ferry operator on the Cook Straight, we have used the Interislander Ferry Company several times before but somebody over the past few weeks mentioned that Blue Bridge were good.So not only did we plan and execute an early morning start we arrived at the Blue Bridge Ferry Check-in point which was at the side of a road. We checked in OK, only one check-in desk working, and waited we then realised that for us to board a ferry we would all need to cross the main road?
Come departure time and we see the ferry for the first time and it does not look good and this was confirmed once we got on board.
The ‘Café’, for the want of a better word, left us speechless and we have seen much, much better Truckers cafés on the A1 or A30 than this so called ferry. Noel ordered a bacon sandwich and was presented with a plate with some bacon on and four slices of white unbuttered bread on another plate, a do-it-yourself sandwich. Jennifer had toast, again do-it-yourself in the toaster on the shelf. We finally found a seat which did relax back but noticed that they kept the side door to the outside walkway open at all times probably because there was quite a strong draught blowing in. After a short while we realised why they kept it open, it was to allow in the wind to dissipate the smell of the ships diesel engine fumes. Just wonderful.
Boy this was the worst ferry we think that we have ever encountered. Here is the detail from the official website
"MV Santa Regina arrived in Wellington from France on 26 December 2002 and made her inaugural voyage, launching the Bluebridge service, in early 2003.
Before the Santa Regina joined Strait Shipping, she sailed an overnight service between Marseilles and Corsica in the Mediterranean. On arrival in New Zealand the Santa Regina received a make-over, removing the majority of cabins and replacing them with comfortable, contemporary lounge areas. Today, she crosses Cook Strait twice a day, carrying up to 370 people plus cars and large quantities of freight.
Well known as a stable and comfortable vessel due to her good hull design and effective stabilisers, the Santa Regina is a very popular Cook Strait ferry"
Ps- they even spelt stabilisers wrong on their official website.
What is does not say is that it was built in 1985 and is today held together by paint and rust of equal proportions. Comfortable, contemporary lounge areas, we think not. This might have been the case in 1951.
We shall go back to the Interislander Ferries in future but it is time the New Zealand Government stopped these bad quality ships on this notable tourist route.
So getting up early for this poor experience will be remembered for quite some time to come. Noel has been on better Chinese Cargo vessels than this.
We arrived in Wellington not in the three hours and eighteen minutes as advertised but more like four hours. Perhaps the slaves were not rowing fast enough?
It was grey and overcast when we arrived in Wellington but improved as we travelled North in the direction of Taupo which is about 250 miles away. We travelled along what is called the ‘Desert Road’ which goes from Waiouru to Rangipo alongside the Tongariro National park. The road reaches a height of 1074m and so will be closed sometimes in winter when the snow is bad.
We finally found a very nice Motel for the night in Turangi (the home of trout fishing it says) with nice gardens and so we were able to dry out the rest of the tent on their lawns.
Dinner was a very nice ham salad and the rest of the wine from the previous evening.
We spent the evening looking at camp sites in the Coramandel area on the internet and it is our intention to leave here at a normal time of day and reach the Coramandel Peninsular shortly after lunch time which will allow us time to check out the best site and settle in for four nights.
