The South Pacific

Day 45: Christchurch to Kaikoura

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January 13th 2011
Right before I left Christchurch, I made a bad mistake. I had been trying to leave Celtic Backpackers quietly and considerately, since the shuttle was picking me up at 6 a.m. So I slipped quietly and considerately out the door, closed it, locked it -- and realized that I had left my walking stick inside. I panicked, and banged frantically on the door, inadvertently terrifying Kym, the hostel' ... read more

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Kaikoura

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The Polynesian Maori reached New Zealand in about A.D. 800. In 1840, their chieftains entered into a compact with Britain, the Treaty of Waitangi, in which they ceded sovereignty to Queen Victoria while retaining territorial rights. In that same year... ... read more