Do you know what I hate…….Cameras, memory chips, USB keys and computer viruses!!!!!!!! Grrrrrrrrrr our first day in New Zealand was spent trying to sort this crap out. Both of us used “diseased” computers in an internet cafe in Sydney. Boo to it! Anyway we got things somewhat sorted and were able to move on.

Christchurch is lovely, very relaxed and laid back and we just soaked it all in…….

….and fed our Sushi habit 🙂 We decided to take a break from driving and book a bus ticket which will take us all around New Zealand (North & South islands). We have a jammed packed schedule and will have to pick and choose what we want to see because we can’t see it all in 19 days unfortunately 🙁

Our first stop after Christchurch was Kaikoura and we chilled out there for a few days. Plenty of walks planned, however the weather was pretty grim so we didn’t get to go. This also meant whale watching and swimming with Dolphins was out. Bummer. We did check out some seals though, but I have to say they are pretty fecking lazy buggers. There’s not a whole lot else you can do in Kaikoura, apart from sample the famous crayfish but at $75 a head, it’s a little bit out of our price range!! We will pass through Kaikoura again so we might get to swim with Dolphins yet. We did stay in a backpackers that’s worth mentioning, it was kinda like a cross between a convent and your grannies’ house in a comforting yet creepy and damp way too. Anyhoo this sign on the noticeboard really amused us…..

Of course this must be meant in the most innocent possible way, right? 🙂

The following day we bused it to Nelson (including a 2 hour bus breakdown in Picton on the way – groan) which we thought might be a good spot to head out and have a couple of drinks. The first pub had 14 people in it – including 2 bar staff. They closed up about 11pm and we thought that’s it. Oh dear!!! Then we happened upon a pub with some life and some live music. Had a good old session and even met a guy from Cork who’s living there.

 

Then we were off to Abel Tasman which is a huge national park. We opted to see the park on a full day sailing trip and we got a lovely sunny day (sweet) for it which was just lovely. We got to see more seals, fabulous scenery and beaches and of course famous “Split Apple Rock” used in a lot of tourism advertising for New Zealand…….

………….and basically just took in the great scenery, soaked up the rays and chillaxed lazily for the day. I know this is really boring but I also got to cook which is like a little treat for me 🙂 We do try to cook but honestly it works out cheaper and way less effort to buy the $10 backpacker meals that are on offer most places. We stayed at “Old McDonald’s Farm” (I kid you not!!!)

The bus driver told us that mad scientists successfully mated sheep with camels. Now I presumed he was messing but actually this is the result…..

Freaky, huh? Anyway the 100 acre Old McDonald’s Farm is actually for sale for the bargain price of $7 million if anyone is interested???

Anyhoo with thoughts of e-i-e-o and “shamels” in my head, I’m outta here. Until next time…..

 

More photos on http://www.flickr.com/photos/lindybear/sets/72157612595378788/