Do you know the town of Blenheim?
You probably don't know it. Of course not. It's not a town that's particularly famous for anything.
Yes, that's right. It's wonderful. Marlborough is the largest wine producing region in New Zealand. It's fair to say that it has become more well-known among wine lovers than any cigarette brand.
Marlborough is the name of a region. Blenheim is the central city of the Marlborough region.
Blenheim in Marlborough is Gifu City in Mino. Something like that.
Ah, the people of Gifu City were angry just now, weren't they? You mean the part about it not being a town that's particularly famous?
Sorry, but I am also half Gifu-born, so please understand that I am using a slightly humble nuance, typical of Gifu.
Well, this time I'll write about Blenheim.
I rented a car and drove around the South Island from south to north to tour New Zealand's wineries.
After visiting various wineries in various regions, we finally headed to Marlborough, the home of New Zealand wine and home to vast vineyards. Our plan was to stay in Blenheim for two nights and tour the surrounding wineries.
Number 1 and I
I had heard that Blenheim was a small town, so I thought that if I just printed out a map, I would be able to find my accommodation quickly.
But I was wrong.
When traveling overland in New Zealand's South Island, you can basically just drive on National Highway 1.
To get to Blenheim from Christchurch, the largest city on the South Island, just follow Highway 1 north.
Having stayed overnight in Christchurch the previous night, I drove in the morning to Blenheim, a town that is home to Marlborough, New Zealand's most important wine producing region.
On the way, we stopped in a port town called Kaikoura, where we ate fish and chips at a fast food restaurant and spent the time staring at the seagulls flying around, which included about five hours.
Anyway, I believed that if I headed north on Route 1, I would reach Blenheim without any problems, and those who believed were saved, and I arrived in Blenheim without any problems.
But after entering the town, there was no salvation.
Look at the map to see what the problem is.
that's right.
"The car is traveling from south to north on Highway 1 and enters Blenheim."
That premise was wrong.
Looking at the map, we can see that H1 snakes around before entering Blenheim and then suddenly heads west!
Yes, the correct answer is to enter Blenheim from the east, not the south.
As someone coming north from the south, I was puzzled to learn that Route 1 does not run through Blenheim from north to south.
I tell myself I shouldn't look at the map, but then I come across even more confusion.
What! Route 1 turns at a right angle at an intersection right in the middle of the city!
I was in an unfamiliar town, and the national highway that I was relying on turned at an intersection along the way. I wish the highway was still as wide as possible, saying "I'm on National Highway No. 1."
But in reality, it is exactly the same size as the other roads that cross it.
Until then, Highway 1 had been a single road, a reliable companion on my journey, but as soon as I entered Blenheim, it became a blur, blending with other roads and acting as if to say, "Once I get into town, it's just an ordinary road."
What the heck?
I had to turn right at this roundabout... Furthermore, there is a roundabout intersection without traffic lights, as shown in this photo. It makes me really nervous when merging into the intersection. I get so nervous that I end up turning around, and I find myself wondering, "Which way am I?"
It may be fine for people who can tell north, south, east and west with absolute precision, like perfect pitch, but for a Sunday driver like me, the mental compass easily gets messed up.
Are you heading north now? Or east?
I lost my sense of direction and just went round and round in towns with similar scenery.
After much wandering I came across sign No. 1 again.
So!! Does this No. 1 run east-west or north-south? Which way is it!?
I'm in a panic now.
Finally, I found a police car in a residential area, asked for help from a police officer, and somehow managed to get to my lodging.
It took us an hour to get to the hotel after entering Blenheim. Looking back, it was only a 10 minute drive.
Route 1, which I thought would be my travel companion, suddenly turned its back on me. It was as if it was telling me that I was still a beginner in New Zealand and to come back later.
Wow, number one.
I'll try again soon, but this time I'll rent a car with a good navigation system.
Just wait, No. 1! Next time I'll get going easily!
Here is the account of my journey to Marlborough's wineries after I finally arrived.
