As you slip out of Picton aboard the huge ferry you aren’t really prepared for the stunning scenery that awaits you as the captain navigates the huge vessel through the Marlborough Sounds. The weather was perfect too; a beautiful sunny day with dead calm waters. Even as we entered the Cook Strait the waters were eerily calm, backed by the towering peaks of the south island shoreline.
However, there was of course time for some Prince family drama during the 3.5 hour ferry crossing. As we were rounding the headland for the final approach into Wellington harbour Dan, Clair and Samuel decided to go out front to get the best view of arriving on the North Island to start our next month of adventures. We should have realised what was about to happen as we struggled to open the door to get on deck against a very strong wind. Once opened and held in place by Dan we started to step outside. As Samuel extended his leg over the door jam the wind blew his flip flop straight off his foot and straight over the side of the boat, much to the enjoyment and hilarity of the 2 young girls who were trying to get in through the same door. Samuel did not see the funny side, in fact he saw the absolute opposite of the funny side and proceeded to cry hysterically at the realisation that his flip flop was lost, and yes, forever! He might actually have cried more than the time he split his head open!