Takaka!

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I spent a few nights in Christchurch arranging for a rental car and getting things in order - shipped a few Sout Pole Pint glasses home and caught up on some good food. My second night at the Devon Hotel was spent on the Inn Keeper's floor. Sandy didnt have any available room for Saturday night but she let me crash anyway. My friends from SFO, Sam and Jenny, got into Christchurch on Sunday and were shocked to see me there waiting for them. We didnt think we were going to catch each other but my early flight out of McMurdo put me in Christchurch at just the right time. The three of us roamed around mostly eating and drinking our way through town and taking naps in between.

We went to the Volcano in Lyttleton Monday night for dinner, and made our way over to the awesome wunderbar accross the street for some pool.

I spent all day Tuesday driving from Christchurch up to Takaka. The drive was really long but It was sunny and warm and Highway 1 follows the coastline all the way up the island. I arrived in Takaka around 9:30 pm after 9 hours on the road and made my way to Shambhala Hostel about 15km outside of town. This place is really fantastic. I have had a bed in a 4 bed room for $26 kiwi a night, with a window overlooking the gardens and the ocean. The beach is a 3 minute walk down the hill, and I was able to get into a yoga class in the meditation room last night. I met another American, also named Jeff who happens to be from Kansas City. I asked him by chance if he new a kid named Todd - well it turns out he and Todd Hetrick (friend from College) are good friends from Kansas City. Crazy. We went over to the Mussel Inn for some live music and beer. The place was packed, what a great scene all at a stop on the side of the highway.

I am meeting Abby and Jenna tonight at the Mussel Inn and we are going to make plans for Mimi's arrival to New Zealand.

More soon!

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Photos

Back Seat Driving on the Opposite Side of the Road
Jenny is a great driver

Overlooking Lyttleton Harbor
Lyttleton is a really sweet port town

Wunderbar
Such an awesome little joint

Wunderbar lighting
yes those are doll faces

On my way to Takaka
I had this view most of the way up

Lunch
The view from the deck of The Store in Kekerengui

The Store
This place is really great - just off the side of the highway - great food

Tree Houses
I thought this place I passed was really cool although they charge $500 kiwi to sleep in a treehouse for a night. Not so cool.