We arrived in New Zealand at 11:15 and got to our hotel at about 12:30 am. We mistakenly thought that there was a meal included in the flight as there was one on the flight from New Zealand to Australia. WRONGO! So we shared a sandwich at the Rower's club at 12:30, had a drink at the airport and boarded the flight at 6:20---landed in New Zealand at 11:15---arrived at our motel at 12:30. So, we had 6 cookies( that I had saved from various motels--Ian thought I was nuts!) and a cup of tea before bed. Picked up our car in the morning, found our motel (a real gem--great people and a great facility) and went to tour Christchurch. What a disaster! We didn't realize the devastation from the earthquake.
Went to our local which turned out to be fabulous. Did laundry while Ian Veg'd at Bailies Pub. Met a young man from Glasgow who has come to work in the reconstruction of Christchurch. A REAL TREAT. He recognised Ian's shirt as being a Scotland football one and we struck up a good conversation. Invited him to Canada and offered Vince and Ruth's place as a good place to stay. We have decided that we will spend the day tomorrow going to Akaroa which was the advice of our Japanese host. We would have loved to see Christchurch in more detail but it no longer exists. Looking forward to tomorrow and days beyond. We feel much more comfortable in New Zealand and things are good. Laundry done, wine well drunk and our rental car has so many dings that we have no fear of driving.
PS - If we had to give the trip a title so far we would call it "the weather was good yesterday". Every time we arrive in a place they tell us just how good it was "yesterday". (for instance yesterday it was 27 degrees here in Christchurch and today it is 16 and windy. Oh well, tomorrow is another day.
G'day Mates
Talk soon
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