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Published: July 20th 2007
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After the All Blacks game our time in Christchurch was at an end - time to hit the road! With the help of our very friendly host in our Christchurch hostel we've conjured up a plan for the next few weeks. Taking us around as many of the highlights of the South Island as is possibly in the little time that we have. So here goes a little on what we've seen so far...
GERALDINE
I small town in the hills, we didn't do anything here other than pull up beside a pub with a sign advertising their "Sunday Roasts". Well it's been a such a long time since we last had one we couldn't refuse. We stepped inside and it was like stepping into a time warp. An quiet English looking pub, with an old lady playing the piano in the corner and everyone tucking into their roasts. It was great. First roast dinner in 10 months!!
LAKE TEKAPO
A convenient stop off point after most of the day driving. But not just a place to hit the hay, it was yet another spot to stand and gorp at the amazing views. The lake
itself is an incredibly bright torquoise colour (something to do with the movements of the glaciers nearby). Anywhere the result gives it an amazing colour, and when you throw in a few reflections of the surrounding mountains the place looks pretty special.
The town was around 700 metres above sea level meaning we were absolutely freezing. The night got as low as -10!! But the temperature had allowed an ice rink for the winter months, which had a quick go on and spent most of our time on the floor.
MOUNT COOK - Amazing
We made the sideways journey so we could see the tallest mountain in Australasia. The morning we left Lake Tekapo the weather wasn't great, visibility was down to a few metres. We weren't sure whether or not to make the trip - it was a good 3 hour detour and it looked like we wouldn't see anything other the fog/low cloud that was surrounding. A local assured us that we'd be fine and so we took the gamble. We spent most of the journey oblivious to what was around us. But within 20km the skies cleared and we were treated to a breathtaking
view of the mount, illuminating in the sunlight. We followed the road to the foot of Mount Cook through thick layers of snow. The nearby village was tiny and being quiet it felt like we had all the views to ourselves. We didn't venture onto the mountain, we'll leave that time next time. I don't think our trainers and boots without any grip whatsoever would quite do. And besides, at 3754 metres high it's about 3 and a half thousand metres higher than we've ever climbed!
ASLAN"S CAMP
On the way to Oamaru, we knew there were a few sites to look at where The Chronicles of Narnia was filmed. I was desperate to see them as I LOVE THAT FILM (Chris, not so much, but he was willing as the scenery in it is so beautiful.) So, we made a stop at the place they filmed Aslan's Camp in the film. Its called 'Elephant Rocks' in real life as there are lots of random rocks in a field of hills that, i suppose, (from a long way away?) could look like real elephants? Its just a different, magical kind place- we took lots of photos of
it, you can decide for yourselves. Lots of places in New Zealand have like, a feeling about them - as there is noone else around, and you'll be standing there in one most of the most beautiful places you have ever seen, (when usually, a beautiful place - a touristy place, a photographed place, is filled with other people, fighting to get the best stop to get a photo) but not here.
OAMARU
Leaving Mount Cook, we arrived in Oamaru late afternoon. Perfect timing for us to check out the penguins the make the home along various part of the coast. Two types of the penguin, blue penguins and yellow-eyed penguins. Blue penguins could only be seen by paying to go in the sanctuary that has taken over their habitat. Yellow-eyed penguins can be seen for free round the corner. So we headed there. They are the rarest type of penguin and we managed to a few surfing their way in from the water with a big fat belly of fish and waddling themselves into the nests in the cliffs. Always a funny sight!
A quick walk round the town the next morning and then we left.
There wasn't a great deal to see.
DUNEDIN
A very 'characteristic' place with much more to do than Christchurch. Lots of interesting architecture, churches, museums to see, and what did we do... went to the chocolate factory! Yes, there's a Cadbury's chocolate factory! A tour of factory, showing us how the chocolate was made. But really we were just there for ALL THE FREE CHOCOLATE they gave us!! Hoorah! That was very nice.
As well spending time in town centre, we went over to the Otago Peninsula, which is popular for it's wildlife - you can see seals, sealions, penguins, lots of birds and the only mainland habitat for the Albatross. (We managed to see some flying over our heads without paying to get in the sanctuary which was a bonus). We visited the only castle in New Zealand, which is more like a stately home but nice. And had great views from the top of the island. Other than that we did lots of driving round a taking in the great views.
One evening was also spent on a Ghost tour. We've heard lots of stories about ghost whilst in the town and so thought
we'd head out to see if we could catch a glimpse of anything supernatural. After a quick through haunted parts of the city, we were taken to the oldest cemetary which supposedly has a great deal of unusual things going on in it. The guide told us before we entered that ghost regularly attack people on her tours and that in the past people have left in an ambulance. So that aside, we set off in the pitch black to walk through the graveyard. Stopping every so often, we were told spooky stories about horrible people burried there, ghost that roam certain parts, people's experiences - all adding to the suspense. The best one was the watchman, who is regularly sighted, just standing and staring at you without movingand has a pale face and completely white eyes. He was apparently a guy on a ship that crashed in the harbour and only half the crew were recovered and buried in the graveyard. They think he is looking for them. Anyway, we didn't see him. We didn't see anything apart from the idiot in a mask and cape that jumped out on us right at the end of tour and scared
the crap out of us. Thanks mate. Right, now lets go to the pub.
After Dunedin we went to Milford Sound.
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Tricia
non-member comment
New Zealand
It does indeed look as if you have just walked through the wardrobe my darling girl. What a beautiful place. No wonder they film all those block busters down in New Zealand. I had no idea the scenery was so beautiful or that there was so much wildlife and space there. The rock formations are amazing and I LOVE THE ICE CRYSTALS. I want to come there badly! Now would do. Love you very much - Mum