We arrived in Christchurch after one of the most boring car rides ever. After the spectacular West Coast we travelled over nothing but flat farm land for 5 hours. The most exciting thing that happened was a patch of mist and the Moeraki Boulders, which are kind of self explanatory if you've seen the photos. I don't think anyone knows why they are there, but they're pretty coo regardless.

Dunedin to Christchurch was also the final part that Sunny had to play in our travels. We reluctantly said goodbye to him not long after we arrived. He was going out to another couple later on that day so at least we knew he'd still be happy driving around the country!

After dropping the car off we checked into Round the World Backpackers, which seemed to be alright from the outside but was a hell-hole indoors. I can't really emhapsise quite how bad this place was, but we were booked in for 3 nights and stayed just 1. Almost being sick after discovering a rotten bag of vegetables and fish at breakfast was the last straw. We managed to move to Foley Towers and despite its similarity in name to Fawlty Towers it was almost palatial in comparison to Round the World!!

The next day we set about exploring around Christchurch. It has quite a colonial feel about it, with people punting on the river Avon that runs right through the city centre. We checked out the market in the Cathedral square and had a quick look at the Festival of Flowers. We also inadvertently got into the cathedral without paying the admission fee, so its all good.

On the Saturday I left Sheona to go around Arts Centre and shopping centre whilst I went to the cricket at the AMI Stadium. England needed a win to draw the series and NZ couldn't lose. Nevertheless England put on a bit of a lacklustre show until Luke Wright and Dimi Mascharenas put on 50 odd from the last 2 overs. Then out came Brendon McCallum. He hit 77 off of 38, including one of the biggest 6's I have ever seen that landed in the 2nd tier. Good to watch but not good for England! The rain came on about 9 and the match was one by NZ by D/L. (apologies to all those people who care not for the beautiful game that is cricket, for they will not really have a clue what I've been talking about).

We flew out of NZ on Sunday and were off to Melbourne! Bring on Oz!

-B