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After some mad last packing, we made it just on time to the plane. Ah what a feeling, just to relax in our seats, to think here we go. Maxim and Callum selected their favorite movies while we sipped some Champagne... Christchurch and the campervan pick up was done in a haze of jetlag and lack of sleep. Finally, hoping we had pack right for this leg of a journey we parked the camper in a nice little caravan park (amber park) and went exploring by bus. So where exactly is the city centre... The children were amazed at how much was destroyed, we discovered the still beating heart of this place in a new minute centre made out of cans, according to Callum, no in fact containers... Whose idea was it anyway, it works out well, funky cafes and shops painted in bright colours out of 40 feet metal boxes. We walked back along the beautiful botanic garden under a warm bright sun until our feet started to hurt, and bused it back to our new tiny wheeled home. Looking for food, we ended up in a fabulous chinese restaurant (yes we are sampling the delights of NZ food). A quick grocery shop, a game of Jigsaw putting our sleeping quarters together and finally, sleeeeep.
The next day, on the 13th we headed to Hammer spring, high in the hills and got our first taste of driving around the spectacular NZ landscapes. Hammer spring was cold, cute and drizzly but we found a great camping surrounded by forests with montains views, a few cats and a horse... Perfect. Paul found himself a mountain bike to explore the local tracks, Maxim and Callum did nearly two hours of homework and once again sampling the local delicacies, we ended up in a tiny Thai, where we were spoiled with excellent food (with vegies for the kids). We closed our eyes in a coooooold night. We woke up to a sunny morning, great, Hammer springs, here we come. 4 hours of mad clycling for Paul, 4 hours of heated pools and spas for us... Heaven, and yes we spared a though for our friends at school or work and send them all a happy thought...After another hour of homework, sitting outside overlooking mountains, sheeps cats and one horse, it was time for a barbie and a hot chocolate, it gets really cold when the sun goes away.
Tomorrow we are heading to Kairouka, a chilled out place by the sea, then to Nelson Bay and the West coast.
- comments
Yvonne Hi Desmonds, Great to hear from you. Sharing your experiences whilst travelling with us was a fantastic idea, you don't seem so far away:) Oh, I almost forgot: Maxim's bike is sound and safe in our garage. Bisous and hugs, Yvonnexxx
Titaua waouhhh, je retiens le champagne dans l'avion, le beau temps, les paysages et la piscine chauffée !! excellent tout ça !!
The Brynjolfsons So sad we didn't get to say goodbye to you properly but have a wonderful trip.... and look forward to reading about your adventures.
Jayd Hey Maxim hope you are having an excellent time and seeing all sorts of awesome stuff!! where are you going next and how long are you staying there??? have loads of fun.
James Desmond Well it's fab to see you have all made it safely to NZ, the first leg of the world tour has finally begun. It's great that all the family back here in Ireland can see what you guys are getting up to on an on-going basis. Bet it's not as cold there as here though!! Looking forward to hearing the next instalment soon.., Happy St Patricks day., hope Paul was able to celebrate it properly with a pint of the black stuff. Take care for now, love to all