On our last day in Christchurch we went back out to the Banks Peninsula that we visited during our cruise. Last time we went for a 5 hour walk and got a little sunburnt. This time however we were more sensible and just drove round the viewpoints in our lovely little white car. The pleasures of being a flashpacker!!!!! Unfortunately driving requires some map-reading and we accidentally took a detour and ended up driving down an unsealed road for an hour, by the e...

Yum! I had been really craving fish and chips for a while now, partly as NZ has a strong English heritage and so much coast that they are fairly ubiquitous. Today in Akaroa I decided to cave in to the deep fried goodness and I was not disappointed. The cafe claimed to have the best fish and chips in NZ and although it looked like a greasy spoon I decided to give it a go. The batter was light and crisp, the chips chunky and salty and the fish was melt in your m...

Travelling in style!!! After a hard day's walk in the hills behind Akaroa, we relaxed in the hot tub while the ship pulled out to sea and the sun set over the horizon. Loving it!!!! DW

Vintage cars in New Zealand A 4 hour hike, beautiful views, attacked by flies and fought our way through the bush - all in a day's work for intrepid travellers!!! We were then greeted by some good old vintage cars whilst we ate ice cream and cooled off. DW

Skyline Circuit - Stony Bay Peak Yup. It's official. I have done my first NZ walk. Here is the proof. Beautiful scenery, lovely weather, four hour round trip including water and lunch breaks and best of all, I enjoyed it! Think Dann is quite relieved as he is hoping that we'll do a good many more. Akarao is beautiful. It was spectacular getting a ride into town from the boat to the pier, on a lifeboat, this morning. (The ship is too big to get too close.) We s...