Hello there...

So after a bit of a performance getting through customs and passport control at Christchurch, and after a 2 hour wait they let us in the country and out of the terminal! Hooray!! We spent our first 2 nights at Base Backpackers in a 6 bed dorm whilst seeing some sights, and getting used to the colder New Zealand weather, god it's like being back home!! There wasn't a great deal to do in Christchurch itself so we spent a few days doing touristy shopping and looking around the city. On the 2nd night we did however, upon recommendation from Chris' rellies Claire and Layton visit a place called willowbank.

Willowbank itself is a nature reserve, but in the evings they do traditional Maouri performances, it was a great night. They teach you all about their language and culture, with a dance finale! After appointing one of the tourists as the 'chief for the evening' and undergoing a few tasks they get the girls up doing a dance with these ball things on string, and then they got the men up doing the haka. It was extremmely funny, especially with Chris' long legs standing tall amongst the rest! After they had made prats of themselves the Maouri's did a proper rendition of the haka, it was amazing to see, and it does look really hard, despite them sticking their tongues out at every given opportunity. Afterwards you do a quick scoot of the nature reserve, which was a bit mundane, but we got to see the legendary kiwi, which was worth it in itself, apparently these guys are becoming extinct!

So after our backpacking sesh, as it was Chris' birthday we booked into a nice hotel called Hotel off the Square, which had the tram running throught the reception area of the hotel. It was really cool! Such a break from dorms, we got our own bathroom and TV and everything! After checking in we made a few phone calls home so Chris' parents could wish him many happy returns, and we also phoned our friend Pete, where, cos of the time differnce it was his birthday back home (on the 8th and Chris' bday here on the 9th) - which was quite bizzare. So after all the phone calls etc and kitting out the hotel room in balloons and party blowers, we headed out for afternoon beverages! It wasn't long before we had to head back to get ready for the Casino. After devouring a bottle of wine in the room, we headed off via 'free pick up' to the Casino, where Chris was treated to a free dinner and classs of bubbly for his birthday. The meal was excellent, like a 'posh' buffet, and after trying a rather large assormtent of dishes we headed to the roulette tables. It was such a great atmosphere, waitors coming round to the table taking orders for drinks and bringing them back to you - we were royals!!!

We made quite good head way on the rouete tables, we were a dab hand! Until later on in the evening when it seemed to rapidly go downhill. Beginners luck me thinks! Although by the end of the night we only ended up $50 down after all food and drink was consumed, so after all not an expensive night! We wanted to try the poker tables, but luckily for us they were all full, neither of us have the best poker face!!! The only tables free were the expensive one's and we weren't that drunk or that rich to risk that much money! We also had a go on these money wheels, which were OK - didn't win much though!

After an amazing night, we took a stomp home after buying popcorn to cure the munchies, with some strange dude saying 'oh u salt devils u' cos we had salt on our popcorn??? Why do they let these weirdo's work where there's normal people around!!!! So we finished off Chris' birthday night with a few takeouts and blowing party blowers in the room at god midnight, god we're good at lowering the tone at even the classiest of establishments!!!