7/3/09: We got picked up about 8- I must admit I didnt feel too sharp!! And we literally spent all day on the coach to Christchurch- where we arrived about 5. We stopped briefly to get food and go the loo. Then again at a point overlooking Mount Cook which was next to a big lake which is a beautiful turquoise colour because of little bits of rock off the mountains and glaciers. We watched Borat on the coach but I slept quite a bit! Everyone has been shocked when we say we are spending 5 nights here because apparently it is really boring and there is nothing to do- so we was expecting the worst- even if it is the second biggest city in New Zealand after Auckland. But we are pleasantly surprised- it helps that it is a gloriously hot and sunny day! There is lots of nice parks and old buildings, a museum, a river that you can get a gondola along and a tram you can ride on, plus loads of shops and it has a cool hippy feel about it! The hostel is not great- the room is really hot and has no plugs and there is a communal bathroom. We went for a mooch and I had subway for tea. Lil alex had a pizza bread. Then we went back to room and chilled all evening cos we were pretty knackered.

08/03/09: Our 2 year anniversary since when we first started going out!!!! We woke up to the cathedral bells ringing and ringing and ringing......... plus we had a snorer in our room!!! The cathedral is just outside our hostel which is quite pretty and cool (except for the bells obviously). We went outside and I watched the scouts go into the service with loads of flags??!! Then we searched for a pie shop for breakfast but couldnt find one so I come back and made toast and lil alex had McDonalds. We then set off to explore- the weather has been gorgeous all day- probably the hottest and sunniest day so far- we've both topped up our tans a lot!! We walked to a market full of art, jewellery, clothes, food stalls- which was cool. We then continued to the Botanic gardens which are really beautiful!! There was ponds, fountains and loads of art there, plus we went in a flower house place with a room of cacti, a room of flowers and a room of plants. Then we went through the rose garden and sat chilling in the park with a drink. There were loads of bands and musicians and performers everywhere which was cool. One band were playing oil drums, drainpipes and road signs! And there was people just playing the guitar and kids playing the violin and then by the cathedral there was two proper bands playing. We walked back from gardens and I went to the book exchange in the hostel and managed to swap a couple of mine for two really good ones!!! Then we went to another park and laid in there for a couple of hours this afternoon watching people on the Avon River and listening to a band play in the distance. Come back and showered and heading out soon to celebrate our anniversary with an indian!! We love Christchurch so are wondering what everyone was talking about when they said it was boring- we have already allocated all our time here to different activities and the whole atmosphere is really nice! We got ready and went to a nice little Indian next to the hostel- very yummy!! We then headed to the bar for a couple of drinks- I've moved onto Baileys now!! Before retiring to the room to read my new book- the kite runner (very good)!

9/03/09: We got up and headed out to find a bakery for brekkie! Then we sat in Cathedral square listening to a bloke playing surprisingly good tunes on his recorder (he's been there all day bless him- I felt sorry for him so gave him some change). We then brought a ticket for $50 (about 18 pound) which allowed us use of the trams today and tomorrow, a gondola ride up a mountain on the edge of Christchurch and a trip punting down the river avon. So we hopped on the tram and went aound the city centre- the driver gives a little tour. I found a salad bar for lunch!! We booked a car for Wednesday to go to Hamner Springs. Then we went for a look inside the cathedral- very church like- but beautiful! We went punting- how posh- for about 30 minutes in the river around the city. That was really relaxing. Then we went shopping! I got a new casual top to wear with my leggings!! The weather was nice this morning but it clouded up a bit at lunchtime and there is a chilly breeze. Oh and lil alex says he has posted his bungy and canyon swing films on YouTube- www.youtube.com/alexthom87. For tea I had toast, spaghetti and tuna, lil alex had McDonalds! We chilled all night.

10/03/09: The weather was cloudy this morning so we decided to get the tram to the museum- which we looked around for a while and by the time we got out there was blue skies so we got the tram to the bus stop to get a bus to the gondola up a mountain. We went up and looked out over the city and a bay and port and other hills and the sea in the distant which was cool. Then we went on a ride called 'the time tunnel' or something about the history of Christchurch. And had a snack in the cafe before getting the gondola back down. There was loads going on in Cathedral Square- with a little market and musicians. Then we went and sat in the park and read and sunbathed. A film crew turned up and set up tents and cameras and lights. They sprayed water everywhere over the bridge to make it look like rain and filmed people walking over it with umbrellas. There was hundreds of crew. We lurked around but didnt get asked to be extras!! Then it clouded up and we headed back to the hostel. Lil alex had McDonalds for tea for a second night and I had a subway. Then we went back to hostel and chilled- getting organised for tomorrow! And no mum- backpackers dont do any ironing!!

11/03/09: It was an early start on our final full day in New Zealand!! We had to pick up our rental car at 8! It was all very scary when they were telling us about the 1000 dollars we'd have to pay if anything got damaged, etc! But to hire it was only 39 dollars- less than 15 pound and we only put in $15 (about 5 pound petrol). We had planned to go to Hamner Springs- an alpine resort with well-known thermal pools, however the weather was very chilly and overcast. The woman in the centre said that it was really nice when the weather was bad beacuse you get snow on the mountains and it is nice and warm and relaxing in the pools when it is cold outside- so we decided to head there anyway. It was about an 1.5 hour drive. When we first got the car lil alex freaked a bit because it was an automatic and he has only ever driven a manual, plus it was about twice the length of his little saxo (a toyota corolla). But he drove very well and we arrived just after the spa opened which was cool because it was quite quiet. We got ready and headed out to the 9 outdoor thermal pools and 3 sulphur pools! We booked a session in a private sauna- which was very nice and relaxing. It was absolutely freezing walking between pools but the pools were lovely!! They have essential minerals and stuff, but the sulphur does smell of egg!! They are surrounded by the snowy mountains and pine trees which was pretty. We spent about 3 hours there and then went to a nice little cafe over the road- where i had the nicest thing to eat that I have had since arriving in New Zealand- a jacket potato stuffed with veg and cheese and served with salad!! We arrived back about 4.30 after having a few arguments about my map reading skills (or lack of) and the fact that we couldnt open the petrol cap!! Hahaha- it was like having mum and dad in the car! We chilled for a short time and then headed out so lil alex could have his 3rd McDonalds in 3 nights and I had a falafel wrap for tea. We spent the night in the room chatting to our room mates- one of whom comes from Hayes where lil alex used to live and it turns out she went to his school and they know some of the same people- spooky!! Then we had early night.

12/03/09: We got up fairly late and checked out. We left our bags in storage and headed out for breakfast. We then spent the day just wandering around waiting to go to the airport. The weather was warmer than yesterday but cloudy. There was lots going on in Cathedral Square because there is a big flower festival here at the moment. There was the New Zealand army band playing and then a jazz band, plus the market was on- I got some new earrings. Lil alex brought a few souvenirs- another t-shirt and kiwi window sticker. We had a yummy jacket potato with lots of fillings for lunch and sneacked back into the hostel to use internet. We got picked up at 4pm by the airport shuttle and dropped at the airport where we had to wait around until 8.20- when our flight left. It was only quite a small plane- but had good facilities- there was a tv screen above every few seats and it had a quiz the whole journey. We were also given a free drink and snack even though it was only an hour flight. It didn't seem like we were in the air two minutes. We landed at Auckland airport about 9.30- just as the last flights were leaving and all the shops were shutting up for the night. It was really spooky- we were 2 of only a handful of people lurking in the airport all night- I felt like Tom Hanks in the Terminal. We found a quiet area with a few couches and laid back on them- dozing a bit and reading, etc. Then at 4am we could check-in and we boarded the flight about 6. We each had our own tv with films, etc, and I got a vegan breakfast (??? soya milk ????) and a sandwich for lunch included. It was about a 5 hour flight. I watched 'Four Christmases'. Then we flew into Cairns. And the heat just hit us. Its over 30 degrees and sunny! And I was wearing jumpers, etc.