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A big South Island hello from New Zealand and in particular, scenic Christchurch.
Having recovered from New Year we spent our final few days in Sydney, mostly making the most of the hot hot weather. But it wasnt all just relaxing on Bondi or sunning it in Hyde Park, we managed
to drag ourselves on a Bondi to Coogee beach walk along the coast (2 hour stroll...phew) with the help of a few of Sarah's friends and on another day took a train to Katoomba from where you get a
great view of the Blue Mountains. While there we did a bit of trekking, had a picnic, took a few pics (up on the photo bit as soon as Sarah gets it working) and then jumped back on the train back to
Sydney in time for dinner.
We also did the culture thing for a day with a visit to Sydney Art Gallery which was really good, perhaps mostly because we met the wonderful Vietnamese veteran Rayson Lights- who may or may not
have been a member of the gallery staff. Rayson Lights (b.1945) was voted Hong Kong Elvis in 1963, a title bestowed upon him by none other than his knightship himself Sir Cliff Richard. He then
travelled to the home of Elvis where he met the king and even sung him a bit of Love me tender (he also sang this to Sarah in the middle of the foyer...ooh you should of seen her blush!). The king
promised him anything he wanted to which Rayson Lights replied "My mother passed away recently, all I would like is one more meal with her". This made the King cry. Bless. And after that bizarre
tangent onto where we are now- a whole new country- New Zealand!
We arrived in Christchurch yesterday (09/01/2007) a very significant date as it is mine and Sarah's six year anniversary (where are the cards, the presents, the radio dedications?).
On this special day we took a walk through the city, taking in sights such as the cathedral (it is about 20 feet from our hostel) and the botanical gardens. The British influence is obvious, it looks
just like a small English City and you can even punt on The Avon, which runs between Cambridge and Oxford Terrace. Ahhh, just like home.
The weather is much cooler with a nice fresh breeze and the general atmosphere of the place is a million times calmer than Sydney- also, there seems to be less of a focus on getting wasted as
seems to be de rigueur in Oz hostels. Today we headed to the museum and gallery (they are free! hurray!) alas there was no eccentric staff members there. Ho hum.
Tomorrow we are taking the tranz alpine train to Greymouth, we are there for a night then on to Franz Josef Glacier. Look out for pics of that as soon as we can get them up!
Love to everyone
Ben and Sarah xxxx
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