I've Seen Middle Earth - Heading South, Solo.

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I flew to Christchurch and as soon as we were over the south island the views were stunning! I have definately found Middle Earth - looking forward to seeing a bit more of that at some point. Lizzie from my BUNAC flight met me in the centre of Christchurch and she was brilliant. She had booked us into a fantastic hostel and was my Chch guide for the next day, showing me around and telling me all the places I should check out, setting me up perfectly before she flew off to Oz. I would like a Lizzie for every city really but it was great to see her again and have a proper catch up and not be on my own for my first few days in the South Island. Thank you very much Liz!

I loved Chch, the centre of town is very compact and seems to have everything I needed. I easily spent my few days there exploring and shopping. There was a lot to do and see for cheap or free and lot of great little cafes and touristy things. I tried to see as much as possible but I'm going back on the 7th to meet Kat from Russell who flys in then.

Chch reminded me of home a lot and I felt really happy there, unlike Auckland! Lizzie even took me to a shop that sold irn bru - my first in over 4 months, it was so good! I even got weetabix there too, the substitutes they have here are just not the same. I also think I the fact the hostle we were staying in was so great made me like the place. It was just like living in a big house, with a massive kitchen, great comfy sitting areas, over 500 dvds to watch and a couple of guinea pigs. Plus, you got a towel and free use of the washing machine - this may not seem like much to you but once your travelling these are the kinda things that really make a place! It's also good cause it's a small hostel and I got chatting to a few ppl once Lizzie left which is good cause I probably would have started talking to myself if I didn't have anyone to talk to for a day! I even got talking to a girl form Donegal - small world, as I keep saying. She says ppl keep thinking she's Scottish which makes sense since Kiwi's always think I'm Irish - I'm cool with that, just as long as they don't think I'm English (no offence everyone!).

Anyway, I spent a good few days in Chch. I managed to see the Cathedral, check out the botanics, get the tram round town, go to the museum (geeking it up, as always!), visit the arts centre and catch a street performance - and most of that was free, bonus! I also found a bead shop in the arts centre so I've Kiwi-ed up my bracelet a charm! I'm really looking forward to heading back there and would consider spending more time there, possibly look for work but just gonna see what happens for now!

I left Chch on Saturday and got the bus down to Dunedin where I've been wwoofing for the last few day (google it) and saving my pennies! It's great and the ppl I'm staying with are lovely and have two little kids who of course love me so it's been good so far. All I'm having to do is help them move their shop and then help out with sorting out in the new place. I've got the day off today and am just in Dunedin checking the place out, it's really nice and reminds me a lot of St Andrews (massive student population here) but with tonnes of Edinburgh street names. I've been on Fredrick St, George St, Hannover St, Princes St and Castle St so far but there are lots more! Hopefully I'll get some wwoofing for next week too and then I will hardly be spending any money! Kat gets here in just over a week and then Scotti P a week and a bit later - gonna tour round with him for a bit too. Very excited about that!

Miss you!
Charlotte x

P.S. Just mentioning I've stopped using my UK mobile now cause there's not really much point . I'm turning it on every day or so just to check so of course keep txting :-D, mostly keeping in touch with you guys through facebook anyway, apart form you who txts everyday on my Kiwi number - you know who you are ;-) Love you! Anyway my Kiwi number is [phone] if you need to get in touch with me urgently! Lol! Hopefully you won't!

Love Love xx

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Photos

Lizzie!
At Under The Red Veranda Cafe with Lizzie

Punting on the Avon
Christchurch is meant to be the most English city in NZ. Tonnes of the street names were very English, and I guess they called the river the Avon to keep in with the theme!

My boat in the museum.
Noticed this ship replica in the museum cause it had the soltaire flag and then it turned out it was called the Charlotte Jane!

Kiwi!
Closest I've got to a Kiwi yet - of the feathered variety anyway!

Comments

[Lizzie]

Ooh stop you're making me blush! :) Like the photo's, I never actually went up the Cathedral which is a shame as the view over the square looks lovely x

[CharMcF]

Well it's all true! I wasn't sure about going up cause it was $5 and then I thought what the heck and then I went to pay and I must have been looking quite awful as the woman asked if I was a student - I said I was and she just said, great that's $2 thanx! Result!xx