Today we successfully traveled back over the pass from Okain's Bay - in the rain, no less. Bob did a great job of keeping us on the road.  

I think these roads are one reason why the locals are such thrill-seekers. After growing up in this small country, traveling these roads all their lives, they are looking for greater thrills, such as bridges to jump off of using bungee cords.

Our campervan is working out pretty well for us. We'd LOVE to have more room, but there is no
way we’d be driving these roads in a larger vehicle; this one seems huge on those 180 degree
turns. We leave our clothes in the suitcases and use the cabinets for our other gear. We
have a 2 burner stove, a small microwave, a tiny fridge, a teeny sink – Bob said it’s made
for Hobbits.   

We are provided with the bare necessities: 2 plates, 2 cups, 2 bowls, 2 wine glasses, 2 forks, 2 spoons, 2 knives. Fortunately I brought along a good, sharp knife, a cheese knife, lots of refrigerator containers, a collapsing clothes basket, a throw rug, extra towels, and, as there is no coffee maker in the van, some instant Starbucks coffee.  

After arriving back in Christchurch, we stopped again at a New World Supermarket to restock
our fridge. We also brought along a cooler, so we freeze ice bricks and water bottles to keep beverages cool. We can’t find everything in the New World, but everything that we really need is there. They have great deals on local wine and beer!

Then we drove on to Hanmer Springs in the rain. The rain slowed down when we arrived so we
went to the famous Hot Springs. It’s a beautiful place with a variety of pools, including twelve open-air thermal pools and three sulfur pools. We enjoyed every one of the pools.

Just as we left the Springs, it started pouring. I can’t begrudge them the moisture because they really need it, but we couldn't’t cook out as we had planned. Their "grill" is really an outdoor electric griddle operated by coins, but would have been OK to cook our steak. Instead, we just had baked potatoes for supper. I’m just thankful we aren’t in a tent!