"Look campervans for only 30 dollars a day!"

"We could rent it for four days and go see the Moreki boulders and visit the West Coast!"

"Good idea!"

.....Not

Our 120 dollar camping trip for four days turned into a well it's not exactly 30 dollars...and you have to rent for five days...and pay a 19 dollar a day insurance (that was before they realized I was under 21 and needed to pay a 29 dollar insurance fee) Oh and a hundred dollar bond.

This was then followed by a series of "not so happy" costumer calls when we "thought" they double charged us for insurnace. Nope it really is that much.

Followed by lots of nodding and strange dazed looks. Yes we had fallen blindly into that slippery world of car rental.

Never again am I renting a campervan

The four days of travel were nice though...Day one: Boulders and camping in the middle of nowhere. Day two: Drive until we hit snow...debated the pros of bringing the van back and trying to get a return...instead drove all the way to Akaroa. Day three: Drove over a few big hills on beautiful twisted roads to the tiny (as in a gas station, a craft store, a small cafe and everyone smiles and waves) town. Where we camped along Oakins Bay and tried to determine whether or not the town folk would come after us in the middle of the night.

This trip has been full of life lesson...renting cars is not for the faint of heart (or those on a budget) is just another to add to the list.

Lots of photos soon

Thanks for all the birthday wishes too : )

Heading to Auckland on Monday until May 25th...then flying to London.