Flights Taken : 19
Countries now visited : 10
Free flight socks collected : 4
We did not really celebrate new year. This was because our flight from Fiji to New Zealand left at 8am on New Years Day. This resulted in the alarm going off at 4.30am which was a bit of a shock to say the least. The flight was then delayed the excuse given by Pacific Airlines was that "some cabin crew failed to turn up to work this morning". Hmm lucky them. Anyway we eventually left.
We flew over the part of the South Island of New Zealand and it was stunning. Totally clear sky with green fields leading out to the sea on one side and the snow capped mountains on the other. We landed in Christchurch and picked up the camper and the weather was glorious. We were slightly disapointed with the size of the camper. We have rented a van in Australia 3 times and the space has been fine. However the van we have been given here is very cramped and cooking facilities, room and general storage space are minimal. This is quite difficult with our extra large bags and hand luggage. For 5 weeks it may be difficult. We asked about getting a larger one but none were availiable, we may alter our itinery to pick up one later on if we can.
So we went to retire for the evening. At 5am we were woken up by the van shaking quite violently for quite a while and in 2 long bursts. At first Ruth thought it was someone shaking the van but then said to Chris "crap van - even the wind moves it!" we thought no more of it and went to back to sleep. On talking to other frightened campers in the morning we suddenly realised the geographical implications of where we were - Christchurch. Turned out it was an earth tremer that measured 5.5 on the ricter scale (tremers are apparently quite common but this was a big one). We both felt quite foolish for not realising!!.
The next morning we headed out of Christchurch and drove inland to Lake Tekapo. The first glance of the lake was mesmorising it was bright blue. We also admired all the wild flowers (mainly hostas) growing everywhere.
Apologies for only 1 pic, we will take loads more of the van and places now we are more settled in.
Countries now visited : 10
Free flight socks collected : 4
We did not really celebrate new year. This was because our flight from Fiji to New Zealand left at 8am on New Years Day. This resulted in the alarm going off at 4.30am which was a bit of a shock to say the least. The flight was then delayed the excuse given by Pacific Airlines was that "some cabin crew failed to turn up to work this morning". Hmm lucky them. Anyway we eventually left.
We flew over the part of the South Island of New Zealand and it was stunning. Totally clear sky with green fields leading out to the sea on one side and the snow capped mountains on the other. We landed in Christchurch and picked up the camper and the weather was glorious. We were slightly disapointed with the size of the camper. We have rented a van in Australia 3 times and the space has been fine. However the van we have been given here is very cramped and cooking facilities, room and general storage space are minimal. This is quite difficult with our extra large bags and hand luggage. For 5 weeks it may be difficult. We asked about getting a larger one but none were availiable, we may alter our itinery to pick up one later on if we can.
So we went to retire for the evening. At 5am we were woken up by the van shaking quite violently for quite a while and in 2 long bursts. At first Ruth thought it was someone shaking the van but then said to Chris "crap van - even the wind moves it!" we thought no more of it and went to back to sleep. On talking to other frightened campers in the morning we suddenly realised the geographical implications of where we were - Christchurch. Turned out it was an earth tremer that measured 5.5 on the ricter scale (tremers are apparently quite common but this was a big one). We both felt quite foolish for not realising!!.
The next morning we headed out of Christchurch and drove inland to Lake Tekapo. The first glance of the lake was mesmorising it was bright blue. We also admired all the wild flowers (mainly hostas) growing everywhere.
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| Approaching Lake Tekapo |
Apologies for only 1 pic, we will take loads more of the van and places now we are more settled in.
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