Blogs from Akaroa, South Island, New Zealand, Oceania - page 9

We've just been looking through our blog at the things we've done over the past 6 months and we can't quite believe our time in NZ is coming to an end. We've had a great time here in NZ, and have met lots of friendly folk who have made us feel very welcome. Despite having cleaned the van inside and out and packed most of our stuff away, we're still somewhat in denial about handing the van over and being homeless and on the homestretch. We've given our fantastic BBQ to Pete who lives and works at the Arrowtown Camp whom we know will put it to good use, and perhaps give the odd sausage to Clarence the campsite cat. And we've posted back home most of the 'stuff' we've accumulated, in a huge box weighing ... read more

Our first day began with beautiful blue NZ skies and sunshine. We drove from Sumner to Akaroa (panorama photo above) which had spectacular views. The terrain is very rugged with lots of outdoor activist. We watched a helicopter rescue of a mountain biker. On our return the clouds came in and the winds blew hard. So the weather can change very quickly. We then drove to Christchurch to see some of the sights. , mainly Cathedral Square. Had lunch in this college town with it's shops, pubs, and students all around. We have one more night here at Le Petit in Sumner. More Photos ... read more

Day 4 In the early morning, went to buy Petrol (@ NZ $1.75 per litre) at the nearby Shell Petrol Station. It cost about $85 to fill up the tank. Drove to the Botanic Gardens & had a walk around for about 20 minutes. Today we were all going for a drive to Akaroa, which is just over 80 kms from Christchurch. All the families (from Australia) were going, so we needed 3 cars. On the way to Akaroa, saw some bare hills that had a rectangular patch of pine trees. Then we saw this large rocky outcrop bes... read more

29 12 07 We had our first real day out & about today, we went off to Akora, about 50 miles South of Christchurch. Helen went in her car with 2 kids & we pinched Streves 4x4 to follow on with the rest of the crew. The weather was sunny but there was a cool breeze. The journey was quite a good one, the roads varied from long dead straight ones to very tight & twisty ones through the mountains. We were going to go out to sea on a boat to go dolphin watching but it was very choppy & the kids decided they would rather play on the beach all day instead. I cant believe you come half way round the world & the people sat next to you on the beach are broard ... read more

Aamulla käytiin vielä kiertelemässä Oamarun vanhassa kaupungissa ennen matkan jatkamista kohti pohjoista. Vanhakaupunki oli pieni, mutta sitä oli pidetty hyvässä kuosissa. Pikaisen pyrähdyksen jälkeen jatkettiin matkaa rannikkoa pitkin ylöspäin kohti Banksin niemimaata. Tällä kertaa ei pysähdelty välillä katselemaan maisemia, vaan ajettiin suoraan niemimaalle rauhaisaan, jo aikaisin aamulla varattuun, paikkaan. Banksin niemimaa ei ole niitä tasaisimpia paikkoja, joten jarrut kävivät todella kuumina ja tuoksahtelivat mukavasti pihaan päästyämme. Varaamamme hostelli oli todella mukava. Jaettiin kokonainen maalaistalo vain kahden muun pariskunnan kanssa ja meidän huone oli iso korkea maalaishuone takalla varustettuna. Selvisi, että paikan lähettyvillä oli myös golf-kenttä, joten päätettiin saman tien jäädä toiseksikin yöksi ja varattiin tiiaus-aika heti seuraavaksi aamuksi. Lähin kylä ... read more