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Published: February 4th 2008
So, the clock is ticking... flying to Santiago Chile tomorrow morning! On the last leg now it seems!
We left our blog in Dunedin as we were getting settled in. The hostel there was lovely, and as the days went on, an endless stream of people we had met along the way kept arriving into it! Obviously a popular choice. Two swiss girls, Michelle and Christina, whom we had spent christmas with in New Plymouth, and met a few times along the way in the north Island and on the ferry, resurrected themselves into our hostel. Dion and Christy who we had met in Queenstown, and then in Te anau again, turned up. And a girl who was Woofing (working for bed and board) in hostel in Caitlins arrived in as well, not to mention a very cranky old german lady who had ranted to owner of Caitlins hostel that it was the worst place ever (which it wasnt at all) appeared also for breakfast on about our 3rd day. It was like a proper reunion the longer we stayed.
Dunedin was nice, quite catholic and scottish would you believe although the towns name gives it away somewhat. The
smeaaagoool
Lord of the rings fans traveling in style!!nightlife was great, given it was a studenty town, with bands playing in a lot of pubs, and great food. Our first activity had to be a visit to the Cadburys factory (despite the aforementioned dissapointed quality of New Zealand Cadburys Roses). The tour was good, with plenty of free chocolate to eat along the way. We had to wear hair net type things for the factory tour, and because Paul is ever so masculine with his bearded face, he also had to wear a 'snoot' - a pretty looking hair net for his beard! So we ate lots of chocolate, and appreciated the wonders of the chocolate maker, and even saw a chocolate waterfall. The only thing was the overwhelming smell of the chocolate actually put us off eating all the free samples, so we had to keep most of them til later, but no complaints there, it was the tour that kept on giving!
The following day, we got the bus out to St. Clair. It's a surfing spot, but we were feeling a little weary, so settled for a tasty lunch and a dip in the outdoor saltwater pool. Actually, Paul still isnt letting this exercise
Dunedin Outdoor Pool
St. Clair Dunedins outdoor heated pool thing go, what I planned as a dip turned into 20 lengths for me and 30 for Paul. I fear he wants us coming home fit or something, I keep pouring the wine and he keeps delivering the exercise programs!!! We wrapped up the evening with a trip to the cinema to get Johnny Depps new film - Sweeney Todd, a musical, but ne'er a more gruesome musical did I ever see. A barber with a leaning toward throat cutting was the lighthearted but gory theme, only for the most committed Depp fans I think!
The following day, we had a walk round town, and checked out the farmers market (which was wrapping up unfortunately), and then we went to the Speights brewery for tours and tasting! The tour was really good, very informative and more importantly ended with us tasted all six of their brewed lagers and ales. We even got to pour the drinks ourselves! We promptly followed the brewery tour with a fantastic meal in the attached ale house next door where Paul sampled his first New Zealand Steak (late in the day, but he's been eating them every other day since to make up for
it!!!).
Our final day in New Zealand, we took a drive out the Otago peninsula. Whilst out there we went down to this beach which was virtually empty, and came across two HUGE sealions having a rest on the sand. They were flapping up sand on their backs to swat away the flies but every now and then they would get up for a stretch and a yawn before resettling. It was a fairly impressive sight. On our return to Dunedin we also popped into the Aquatic centre. It was about 3 euro in each and was fantastic with a 50metre pool and diving boards and a wave pool etc. A bargain!! The 50 metre pool was split in two that day, so Paul and I decided to do some lengths. After about 10, we had a rest to compare our strokes. Paul always seemed out of breath compare to fit old me, despite him being able to outrun me without puffing? Post chat Paul altered his breathing, and lo and behold, seems to have perfected his stroke. And OF COURSE then we ended up doing 60 lengths, a first for both of us!!!! No rest for the lazy
Hector Dolphins Curio Bay
These dolphins swam and surfed with us the next day when we got in with our boards on this trip! At least we got to squeeze in one go on the wave pool and a few laps in the lazy river, with a quick rest in the jacuzzi! At least the push in the pool earned us another trip back to the ale house to have a perfect repeat on the meal from the night before, as it was Yummy! This is one country you can really earn your food in! We'd had a good few nights out in Dunedin, so we needed to be earning it!
The next day, we headed up towards Christchurch, but stopped along the way overnight in a hostel called Old Bones, the highest rated one in our hostel guide, in a place called Oamaru. The place rated 97% was fantastic of course, and a great spot for a rest and recuperation. Of course, we're not ones to while away the hours. After an early check in and a spot of dinner, we headed out for afternoon. We then popped down to another beach that has a viewing point for yellow eyed penguins. We saw a few but started to feel bad for intruding into their space when neither of us
Sea Lion Taken it Easy
Just came across him on th ebeach while exploring the Otago Peninsula, kept well back as they can get a bit agressive, he wasnt to happy when I sneezed while taking the photo are really into birdwatching so we moved on quickly enough. They were adorable though, albeit a little stinky (we came upon a baby penguin in its nest, so noses got closer than we had planned).
After a night detoxing, we packed up again, but popped into the town to go to THEIR aquatic centre. We had planned on 30 lengths, but it seems Pauls got the bug now so pushed for another 60 (I'm going to start fading away soon). Ah but really, we were doing some food earning to be honest. They had a cheese factory in Oamuru and our pre departure lunch had been planned to be a feast of cheese. After the compulsory peek into the factory, we sat down to a well earned delicious selection of cheeses for lunch before getting back on the road to christchurch.
And so, the trusty Mazda had brought us full circle. Arrived up to christchurch 'old countryhouse' hostel in one piece only slightly scuppered by a white car cutting us off and taking our parking space at hostel leaving us to find parking on the road. Sure who did it turn out to be but our good American
Watchout for the Penguins!!!
The blue penguins have a habit of wandering out in front of cars friends Dion and Christy!!! We had a good laugh about that, and about meeting again, and so all went out for Pizza to catch up!!
The next afternoon, sure the time had flown in, we drove out to the airport to meet Mark and Mary. The arrived albeit a little late in great spirits, and we settled in for nearly a full week together as our trips were crossing over. We all went out with Dion and Christy that night and had a great night apart from a little red wine spillage - sorry Christy, sometimes the arms just flail around with a mind of their own! Actually, also, Paul couldnt find our room key either when we were out. Thankfully, we had Mark and Mary to let us into the hostel at least, and then Paul got in the window of our room from the garden, so didnt have to wake up the manager!! For once, Pauls attempts to secure the room were thankfully unsuccessful and he'd left a window open. Nearly didnt even check, given his adamance it was all locked up. The key was handed in the next morning too, so no key deposit was lost,
and I was a lot happier having slept in my bed and not on the couch!!
On our first full day in Christchurch together, we went into town for a wander, and hopped on a bus up to the Gondala (no luges in this town unfortunately). Paul and I being on our last days in New Zealand were also on our last days of our New Zealand budget so we opted for the return Gondala with 'free' scenic walk, whilst the lads got a one way gondala with a bike rental at the top, and we arranged to meet at the bottom. We popped into their 'time tunnel', where you go around on a little car like a ghost train but more educational, and then afterwards set off on our walk which turned out to be a hike nearly, and took over an hour it seemed. We had arranged to meet the lads after about an hour an a half so afterwards we promptly jumped into the gondala and rode down to meet them. When we got down, they werent to be seen and the guy working there said it often takes longer depending on the track. We sat
there STARVING for about half an hour until we begged another (free this time) ride up the gondala to grab a sausage roll in the cafe up on top of the hill, as there wasn't a morsel to be had at the bottom. We were still down again before they rode into the carpark, red faced and all out of puff! A good day had by all!
Up and at it again with parched mouths and fuzzy heads, we got on the road at 10am and headed north with Mark and Mary. We detoured on the way, and took in a visit to Hamner Springs up the mountains. We were heading for the thermal springs, but along the way their is an adventure centre - thrillseekers canyon, so we stopped off to see if there was any activities we might do! There was a selection of jet boating, river rafting etc, and a bungee. Sure there was Mark and Paul, and Mark saying well I'll do it anyway, and Paul looking at me, and me wanting to plead with him not to do it, but also wanting to be seen to be supportive and then Mark handing over the
credit card, and the next thing we all know the lads are signed up, and the girl taking the payment is saying to pay no heed to the nervous girlfriend.
So they went up to the bridge (yes a bridge over a river gorge), and Mary and Myself went down to the dock for the boat to watch and wait for their return! Gentlemen that they were, they both stepped aside to let a young girl go first! Sure she ended up standing on the edge for 40 mins before the bungee guy gave her a gentle knee in the back and sent her hurtling over the edge. Mary and us were being blinded by the sun and were worrying about our spf factor by the time she was pushed. I think it made the lads brave however. Paul seemed to jump as soon as we saw him at the edge, but he said he went after the obligatory '1,2,3..', and Mark was as quick! My poor heart, Mary was brave, but I was more scared than the rest of them put together I think! But, there's not much more to say, they did it, they enjoyed it, they
survived it! And the photos say the rest I suppose!
And so we finally made it up to the thermal springs for a much deserved spot of relaxing in the thermal baths and sulphur pools. It was lovely and relaxing, but there was also 2 waterslides and we all ended up being more interested in them it turned out. We must have gone on them about 12 times or more, as if Mark and Paul had a need for any more adrenalin providing activities!! We wrapped up there around 5pm and made our way to Kaikoura for the next 3 nights.
We stayed in Kaikoura in a spot called Lyell creek lodge which turned out to be about 2kms outside towns (oops Elaine), so after all our fun that day, we ended up just grabbing a bite to eat, and having some drinks in with the people in the hostel. The next day, we were all lazy, and didnt make it to the i-site(information kiosk places in New Zealand towns) until about 3.30pm in afternoon to look into Kaikoura activities. For our sins we booked a 6.15am whale watching trip for the following day, only compensated for the
fact we also signed up for immediate wine tour and tastings. We got a shuttle bus out to the winery, and enjoyed our tour and tastings (about 7 wines). We also bought cheese and crackers to eat with our wines; sure we were very cultured indeed. Paul and I are connaisseurs practically at this stage :p
Our whale watching trip was a success (apart from the sleep deprivation of course, and sure wasn't the sunrise a sight to behold). We saw 2 sperm whales (actually just the 1 who came up from hunting twice it seems), an albotross, and a huge pod of dusky dolphins who did all sorts of jumps and diving spins for us!!!!! The whales can spend 30-60mins hunting in the deep waters and just come up for 5-10mins in between to breath, so in between whale chasing we went off to see the dolphins as an added extra. The waters were a little choppy and the boat was fast, so while it made us all feel a little queasy, both Mark and Mary were positively green by the time we got back on land! Nothing some tea, and a morning nap wouldnt cure however, and
by lunchtime we were all feeling human again! We took in a very adventurous and scenic 3 hour walk in the afternoon past a seal colony and up the cliff walk, it was Paul and Myselfs last, and Mark and Mary's first, proper walk in New Zealand so it was enjoyed by all, not to mention the drinks, eats and game of pools that followed. And Ok, Mark and Mary beat us, but only 3 games to 2, and I'm nearly positive they were cheating! Mary even tried to take two shots on the black at one stage with Marks coercing, and they seemed to be pushing for the 'shots carry' rule! They were probably sneaking balls off the table when we weren't looking too, if the truth be known! They'll deny it, but we suspect we were truly the winners last night!
And so today, we are all back in Christchurch, getting the blogs up to draw a line under our time together and prepare for our next adventures apart. Due to a certain degree of laziness, Paul and I had decided to offer the trusty Mazda to the lads, given we didnt really want to set aside
the time to sell her, and who better to give her away to. We wouldnt have made much on the sale, and it would have taken a significant amount of time and effort, and we're on budget for this part of our trip anyway, so it would be a pity to use up our last days dealing with car stuff. We're hoping it works out now for the lads, and they themselves can either give her away again when they are done with her, or send her to the wreckers yard if shes not working out. There hearts were set on the bus at first, but I reckon they have fallen in love with the shiny sleek 20 year old babe magnet! So we've handed over the keys, and hope she behaves for them as she has for us. If she does, we're getting a feed out of them when we get home. If not, and they end up finding themselves up some isolated mountain pass with a dead engine, we'll be skulking in the corners of the Stacey family gatherings for some time to come I fear! Sure fingers crossed for all of us eh!!! And so for us
now, its farewell to the Mazda, hallo Lan Chile airlines!
So we've all had a little lunch with a tipple of wine, as the heads were particulary fuzzy today, and now we should all have blogs up and ready to post now. We've had a great week, a little holiday out of the trip! Its been nice to see some familiar faces, and get a taste of home! We really havent had a minute to think about Chile, but we've checked out their transport system and booked a hostel so the rest will work itself out. Cant wait for 10 hours of films on the plane, or to get to see a whole new country. Also, been trying to book our spanish lessons, but may just have to turn up on the day! Its all very exciting, and we're looking forward to our next new adventure!!!
Miss yee all, Love to everyone at home!!!!
Elaine and Paul
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Brian Walsh
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Roses and Wine - Pick The One You Like The Best
Have ye acquired a craving for chocolate or what. Roses this Roses that. Elaine and Paul in the Chocolate Factory (or Roses and Wine - A Tale of 2 Factories by Elaine and Paul). A good title for your travel book when ye come home.