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Thanks Jane..
We used Dims birthday money for a much needed chill out thanks xxxxx Arrived in New Zealand at midday after a good flight from Sydney but we were knackered after hardly any sleep in Sydney airport the night before. All of the people we had encountered in the airport were great; the passport control lady gave us a sight-seeing tips. The dog sniffed dodgy Dim out but the dog handler was lovely and then we had to have our tent screened and the lady there ended up giving us a load of NZ fruits called Fijuans, so a great welcome!
We made our way to the Banks peninsula and to Akoroa (a tip from the passport control lady); it was a tiring drive but the scenery was truly breathtaking. We found a parking spot and decided on fish and chips for tea; they were lovely and after we had eaten, we sat on a bench overlooking the harbour and 2 dolphins came swimming in – amazing. After a much needed lie in we headed on a walk around Akoroa and surrounding hills; it was a nice walk and after some dinner with some old folks who were on a day out, we drove to another small village by the sea called Pigeon Bay.
This was very peaceful and after a small look around and a swing on a rope swing, we made tracks towards Christchurch.
We came across a pub and asked if we could park in the car park overnight; they were fine so after tea we went for a pint. We were just about to call it a night when we met Murray a guy who lived next door to the pub, after talking for a while he bought us a drink and then some shots; he introduced us to his housemates; Sparrow and Lowe from South Africa. Anyway we ended up going back to Murrays; he introduced us to his Rottweiler Floyd who was the nicest Rottweiler we have come across. We stayed up drinking until 4am and were leathered; Sparrow decided to mow the lawn at 2am; Murray said we could sleep in the house and it was good to sleep in a proper bed.
The next morning we woke up with monster hangovers but Murray insisted on a cooked breakfast which helped for a few hours. We waved the guys off and headed into Christchurch; shoe shopping for Dim – Nooo. After several hours we finally
found a suitable pair of shoes and began our journey towards Arthurs Pass; stopping after a few hours at a camp site for the night..
We were feeling 100% better in the morning and headed over the pass; we had heard the weather can be very un-predictable so we were unsure what to expect but, the journey was fine except from getting pounced on by parrots and it being a bit cloudier than we had hoped. That afternoon we parked in a camping spot by a river in Victoria Forest Park; it was rainy and by 8pm hadn’t stopped all day. There was no-one else in the camp ground and for some reason we both got paranoid about the river bursting so in the pelting down rain we moved the van both thinking we were going to be engulfed by water at any moment; we luckily found a lay-by just down the road.
Next stop was Hanmer Springs to go and soak in the Thermal Baths but before we arrived we went over Lewis Pass; we could see more as it wasn’t as cloudy which was good and we stopped for a couple of lovely walks. That night
Beautiful sunset..
we saw dolphins just after this in this bay. we plugged the van in for the first time and had all our electric appliances running! The thermal baths were a lovely treat and it was nice to just relax for the morning instead of rushing off. Late afternoon all chilled we headed to Kaikoura but I was driving in the blustery wind so the stress levels were back up by the time we had arrived!
In Kaikoura we went to a pub quiz and came last and after we got talking to a guy who Dim called Tommy Tour Guide as for some reason he seemed intent on telling us our itinerary and every single place we should visit aarrgghh.. In the morning we did a long walk around the peninsula which included seeing a seal colony; they were really close up which I didn’t expect and it was great to see them in their natural habitat. The walk was great and we took a real liking to Kaikoura but it was time to head towards Christchurch ready to collect Benn and Ange from the airport tomorrow –Excited!
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Pat Kilmore
non-member comment
jealous....moi?.......oooooh yes!
Love the look of NZ guys, fabulous views, keep up the good work May!