Timaru to Christchurch

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We left Timaru on a typical UK summer day ie raining. The road to Christchurch goes over flat land and we made good time. It was uncanny that it is so much like the UK, not the towns, Winchester was nothing like the UK version but the countryside well you have to pinch yourself and remind yourself that we are about 12,000 miles from home. We arrived at Christchurch airport where the Antarctic experience is, at about 10.30 and stopped for coffee and a rocky road. Lyn made me one of those and hers was better but this was OK. The Antarctic experience is just what it says it is, you experience what it is like to be there, being driven in an ATV up hills over mounds and in to deep water but all very safe and a bit tame, then in to an exhibit on Scott's experience, another room had freezing temperatures, it went down to minus 18*C, that was very realistic and having shorts on was not the best thing to wear. A 4D film also good, and at last we saw the penguins, they are so cute. This together with a wealth of information about life in the Antarctic and more films made this a really good place to go especially as it was still raining. The shop had lots of goodies and lunch in the cafe inexpensive. If you are ever in Christchurch airport with a couple of hours to spare go there.We then drove the 76 km to Akaroa. It was an easy road with little traffic fairly straight then winding around the hills. It had stopped raining but remained cloudy. We'd booked a place by the waterfront so checked in and went for a walk. Akaroa is such a beautiful place, it has a strong French influence and the whole place looks like the Lake District only it is the sea but because its surrounded by hills you can't see the ocean rim. The streets are called names like Rue Jolie, Rue Lavaud, and Rue Britain, and there are so many gift shops and restaurants but again it is so quiet here and so few people. There is a lot to do here walking, canoeing, boat trips, sailing, nature visits to see Dolphins and Penguins. We stopped for a drink then shopped and walked back to cook an evening meal. The tide was coming in and the birds congregated on the shore, this place is so peaceful.

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Comments

[Pauline]

Happy Christmas
Hi Pauline and Steve Great to read all about your travels sounds fabulous. Wishing you both a very Happy Christmas and exciting New Year. Look forward to hearing all about your celebrations. Love Pauline xx