Leaving New Zealand

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Last blog from New Zealand.
Sadly and reluctantly, we are about to leave this beautiful country. It has been a wonderful part of the trip and most certainly a country we will come back to. There has been so much to like and enjoy.
We have had 2 nights in Christchurch since giving up the Campervan and we have thoroughly enjoyed exploring the beautiful city which sits on the banks of the River Avon. It is a very pretty and picturesque city with trees everywhere, and many weeping willows over hanging the river.
We visited the fabulous new Art Gallery, the old Victorian Museum, the wonderful Arts Centre, housed in the lovely old buildings of Christchurch University, the magnificent Botanic Gardens and many coffee houses and restaurants where we ate very well. We have tried lots of different New Zealand wines and have not come across one which we have not enjoyed!
The highlight of our long weekend in the city was The Old Crow Medicine Show on Thursday Evening. it was a brilliant concert and the audience loved them - They played all the songs we knew and it was very vibrant and upbeat. I have put some pictures on facebook! We had front row seats -probably the best seats in the house! I think that happened because we booked the tickets so early and online so Thanks Simon!!The support band were great too (The Eastern-with a very lively frontsman and 2 girl singers- what is it about alt country girls - they always wear the most odd dresses!!!
The weather has been good, sunny and warm by day, though now we can feel a little chill in the air in the evenings as Autumn sets in and all the warm Autumn clothes are in the shops, so this probably is the right time to be leaving!
We are off to Fiji in an hour or so,following the sun! so I am writing this in the airport - Im afraid there will be no photos this time, as I am on a timer and uploading the photos takes a while.
The one thing New Zealand could improve on, is internet access - None of it is ever free and its often very slow - apparently there is a problem with the cable width or maybe that's bandwidth! That is my only complaint about this country - Otherwise it seems to have everything. A great climate with seasons which means that the country produces everything agriculturally, that a country needs, coupled with magnificent scenery, a laid back and relaxed approach to life,(generally speaking, I am sure there are exceptions) and a lovely multicultural population with respect for their indigenous people, the Maoris, makes for a paradise on earth!

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Comments

[Lorna Hunter]

Hi Mary and Rob, Loving reading your travel blogs. You have so put me in the mood for campervan life! Jim and I are still looking for our perfect van-hope to have it by the summer! Enjoy the next leg of your wonderful adventure. Lorna

[duncan pagey]

change yr flights!
hi there you old hippies! Finally i have got onto your website having been told about it by phil when she was at tony's 2 weeks ago, sorting out a leaking roof in our house in bridge of weir. So listen, now that you are in the groove, you need to change your flights and get a ticket to kenya. I am sheltering from a storm, by the pool, summoning my energy for a run when my cup of tea has gone down and the rain has stopped. You do know that we are only 20 mins by plane (mine) to the maasai mara, one of the wonders of the world. And 30 from lake victoria, the largest lake in africa, and r 1 hour from mt kenya the 2nd highest mtn in africa? How can you miss the opportunity? i am hunting for a new job, so it may be yr last chance for a personal guided tour...!! How's that for the hard sell? Great to hear you are both having such fun. Keep it up, enjoy the wacky backy, and keep your beads long.Love dunc and phil xxx

[maryewhiston]

In LA now!!
Great to hear from you Dunc! We would love, love, love to come to Kenya!! We used to be scared of wee planes but now having been in the twin Otter, we think we could cope with it!! if you go very very carefully and promise no turbulence - We would love to see you all - your children must be soooo big now!! Bad luck about the Bridge of Weir house hope you get it sorted - Just send Tony over!! What kind of job are you thinking about? What comes next after being an engineer and managing a tea plantation - You must have a million sell able skills by now including being a pilot - You will be an employers dream!! All love Mary and Rob