Greetings from New Zealand!
I'm in a very, very, very cold Christchurch. Infact it's so cold I'm wearing two pairs of socks. And it's raining and hailing every 5 minutes. It's like British whether but only it's forgotten to take it's ritalin. So I'm having a really good time ha! Anyway I shall stop complaining for a moment and talk about the last few days.
So we got back to Bangkok on Tuesday and went to our home away from home, Rambuttri Hotel. I did miss Chiang Mai alot over the next few days. I really liked it there. It was more relaxed but still had lots of things to do and see. Maybe I'll go back one day. That day I did absolutely nothing and just relaxed after the long train journey. Next day we went to MBK again to do some shopping and returned empty handed. I guess I just wasn't in the mood to buy things after losing my bank card. The next day was my final full day and night in Bangkok so in the evening me, Harry and a few of his mates from Scotland who had just arrived all went for a meal at this petrol station which turned into a bar and resturant at night! (Oh and it was ok to smoke, just so you know- what the hell!) Anyway it was abit of a crappy meal, but the novelty of drinking at a petrol station more than made up for this. Afterwards we went drinking down Khao San Rd. Buckets were the order for the evening. I braved the whiskey buckets and after that I was flying. So much so I can't really remember anything after that. But I'm reliable informed that stealing, shouting and general choas all occured during the evening...just like a night out in Weymouth, right? It was my last night so I think I'm excused. Anyway the day of the flight came in a blurry haze. Went for lunch and then got some books and magazines etc. Said my goodbyes to Harry and went off to the airport. The lovely taxi driver then asked me for 600baht for the taxi even though I already paid (they will try and make money out of you at any opportunity!) So I in no uncertain terms told him I wasn't going to pay him and he kindly argeed to drive me anyway ha! I had three flights in total. First up a 9 hours to Sydney (watched two movies, Cloverfield which I thought was pretty good even though everyone said it was crap, and Charlie Wilson's War which was very funny- tre good film). I didn't really sleep though which was annoying. Then a brief stop in Sydney for an hour. Then a two hour flight to Auckland which was very dull. And after a 6 hour wait (where I nearly died of boredem and of poisonous gases coming from my armpits) a flight down to Christchurch for an hour and a half, which was actually pretty good. The flight attendants were funny and the woman sat next to me was really nice.

Arrived at 8pm local time, 18 hours after I left Bangkok. Stepped outside and just felt as though someone had pointed a million air conditioners at me! I think I got abit to used to the weather in Asia. Got a taxi to my hostel (Base Backpackers). I think it's abit of a party hostel, which would be great but I really shouldn't buy alcohol on my budget at the moment. So I'm avoiding the 'Saints and Sinners' bar below for the moment. Ate at McDonalds which of course was gross, but cos New Zealand is a western country I don't have to feel guilty about doing Western things anymore, yay! Anyway woke up today at around 12pm (think I may of been slightly tired) and bought a tram ticket. I was feeling slightly depressed about the weather but that totally cheered me up! And the drivers actually dress like the captain in Titanic! It's last for two days so I only saw a few things today like the Cathedrel and the Arts Museum. Found an asain food court which was nice. I miss asian food. I sorted out my travel plan and kiwi bus tickets. So bring on Tuesday when I'm going somewhere new. New Zealand is quite expensive so I'm going to live off rice and noodles and try and do stuff which is free. At the moment I'm kinda more looking forward to Australia, but I not gonna write off New Zealand just yet. If it was sunny, I probably would care.
Anywho speak to you guys soon

Woody x