We have met some fantastic people on our trip but Manu is very special. She is warm, kind, generous and absolutely full of positivity and enthusiasm. You are not just staying in a BnB but you are being welcomed to share Manu’s beautiful home. However at the same time the space for guests is totally private.
Damien, her partner is lovely and his knowledge of the local tracks enabled us to put together a really good day walk. Their restaurant recommendation was spot on and on the evening when we just wanted a snack we were able to sit and enjoy it on the patio with a glass of wine.
Manu went out of her way to alert us to and help us resolve a last minute problem with our booking (beware fellow travellers, as although I’m sure it’s there somewhere small in the small print we didn’t realise that if you part pay at home, in our case the UK and then there is a problem taking the full payment from your card provider once you are abroad Air BnB just automatically cancel the reservation without getting in touch with you to resolve the situation, even if like us you have already lodged a second card with them). Without Manu taking the initiative to liaise with NZ air BnB and then letting us know what to do next we would have been in a really difficult situation. - well homeless actually!!!
A lot of people seem to just send a night in Picton before or after the ferry crossing but it’s a really nice place and worth a longer stay. I really don’t think you will find anywhere better than Manu’s however long you are planning to stay.