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Tuesday morning I was feeling much stronger and ready to move on to Christchurch. It took 10 minutes before a lovely Brazilian Courier man picked me up (whilst on duty), showed a few extra sights, taught me how to become a delivery girl and bought me a 2 scoop ice cream on the way! He made my day J He dropped me off somewhere in Christchurch and then I had to find my way to a hostel. I realised I was quite far out of the city so I jumped on the bus and headed into the centre...well, I must admit there isn't really a 'centre' as such. It was a very strange feeling walking around this town, everything was so quiet, building work going on everywhere, all the buildings were still up but empty. The whole city had a really eery feel to it and there was hardly anyone walking around. I had been told to expect this but I don't think I was prepared to feel so affected by the devastating impact this earthquake had had on the town. I can't imagine what it used to be like. Maybe the city was full of character, full of life...but now, even 2 years on from the earthquake, it feels like people have lost too much to forget and put aside still. They had big posters up with people's comments about the earthquake, stories about how it had effected individuals as well as uplifting messages about how they can move on and how that this can be turned into a positive. I didn't last long in the city, as there really wasn't anything to see apart from lots of construction work. So I ended up walking to a hostel just outside of the CBD called Old CountryHouse. It was more than I had anticipated to pay in a town that really had nothing and $32 a night seemed a tad overpriced, but then I had just been into a hostel that was $25 and I must admit I walked straight back out again. Sometimes you walk into a hostel and it can feel claustrophobic with a horrible atmosphere, and this one did so at this rate I was prepared to pay a few dollars extra for a much nicer, more relaxed and friendly hostel. I spent the evening talking to the owners at reception and booked a hire car for the next day.
The following day it was me and my hire car J For $38 I had a taxi ride to my hire car which I could keep for 24 hours with Ace Rentals. Now that's cheaper than the 'tour bus' that was charging $45 to get to Banks Peninsular for the day. I love the freedom the car gives you, and loved how I could be in my own little world for a day, without having to talk to anyone. I just put my favourite music on and enjoyed the incredible views that surrounded me as I made my way to Akarowa. The drive in itself was well worth it, up in the hills looking out at the sea. And the weather was on my side too J When I eventually arrived in the little town of Akarowa, I took walk around and grabbed a coffee in one of the cute little cafes along the sea front. It was very quiet, only a few people wondering around the village, but I can imagine the atmosphere is buzzing in the summer with plenty more people visiting for a day trip out from the city life. It was an enjoyable day relaxing and just having time to myself. It's odd because I have never wanted that before, but when you are on the road travelling you actually need time to yourself, not only to reflect on how good you have it here, but to just pull yourself away from people in general. It can get really tiring. So when people ask "are you not lonely travelling on your own", I can honestly say it's the complete opposite. I think you are more lonely at home with the few friends you have compared to when you are travelling. You are constantly meeting people....and even when you think you are alone, you are not! There is always someone around, even when it's not peak travel season!
The 22nd August was my $75 Jetstar flight back to Auckland. So I drove my car back to the car rentals and got a free ride to the airport! Not a bad deal after all. The car rental was SO relaxed when I returned the car, they didn't check it over, they didn't even double check if I had refilled the car with petrol (damn it, I could have saved myself $30 there! Haha) I just love how relaxed the people are in NZ, and how trusting they are. You respect them a great deal more for trusting you, and you actually make even more of an effort to ensure whatever you have used or borrowed, is returned in the best condition possible. I really hope this 'trusting relationship' stays in NZ J
So I arrive in Auckland, sunny Auckland in fact! YIpee. But then I make the mistake of trying to save money and take the public bus out to some random dodge village and then jump on another bus that goes into the city. It took me the best of the afternoon, and saved me $2 at the most, when I really should have just jumped on the airport shuttle bus. Something I have learnt the hard way! OPS! So anyway I eventually arrived at the hostel in Parnell. It was really nice and chilled there, with a nice cosy living room AND free wifi - wow bonus. The place was a mansion that had been converted into a hostel so it was very homely.
The next few days involved catching up on sleep, washing, throwing away some clothes & buying some more, buying some new sexy walking shoes as I left my broken ones back in Christchurch; purchasing a new camera (yippee how exciting!), skyping some of my FAVOURITE people J and attempting to figure out a rough plan for S.A. It has been a relaxing few days and probably good to stop to make sure I'm fully recovered and no longer ill before start my next adventure.
So I guess it's time for a quick summary of NZ!
Travelling this country has well and truly exceeded my expectations and there are many contributors to this
- the weather has undoubtedly been on my side ; travelling in the winter has worked out for the best - it has been really nice winter temperatures, the mountains look absolutely stunning with snow on them, I have not been bitten to death by sandflies or mosquitos J, and most importantly no annoying crowds of tourists (the country is apparently heaving in the summer!) The only small issue we have come across is that some places are closed for winter, but we have not by any means been affected by this.
- Everything beautiful about NZ calls for outdoor activity which I feel I have fully embraced (and in fact the views are 100% more impressive when you have sweated a few hours to get there!); I have thoroughly enjoyed the challenges of the tramping tracks as well as wood hunting and fire lighting at the end of a long hard walk. I strongly believe that you cannot come to NZ without experiencing this! It is a massive cultural thing to do here and you can see that by the infinite number of huts that are scattered around the countryside. It's a number one MUST DO in NZ!
- the hostels I have stayed in have all been extremely welcoming and homely with the best log fires I have ever experienced;
- meeting the locals has been a real pleasure and you soon realise that what you own, what you are wearing or what you do for a living is of no real interest to them...what they really care about is what you enjoying doing in your spare time. It's so refreshing. It just brings you back down to reality to realise that you don't need the latest gadgets, the biggest TV, the most expensive clothes....not once did I see a kiwi on their iphone or with an ipad. You can actually be happy without all these things, and to be honest travelling makes you realise that too. It completely and entirely confirms that you don't need any of these things to be happy, and they also don't make you happy either;
- exploring the islands in the company of some really down to earth people has undeniably had a massive impact on my view of NZ as a whole!
Oh forgot to say that I was slightly surprised to see how expensive everything is - from food (even buying in the supermarkets), to petrol, to electronics, to clothes...and it's all because everything is exported to China and Japan (I think)!
I am proud to say that I can now tell the difference between the aussie accent and the kiwi accent J Whooo...my work is done here! Onwards and across to South America we go - yes literally, I am sat on the plane! Haha. I'm actually sat in a time machine....going back in time. We took off at 4pm on the 26th and I sit here for 11 hours...then we arrive at 11am on the.....26TH! I mean WHATT!!!! They do know how to confuse me :s
Anyway, sleepy time! I must have my wits about me when I arrive J x x
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