MIRROR, WIPERS, MANOUVER

DAY 29: Rarotonga, Cook Islands to Kaikoura, New Zealand

Today was a 'transit' day to New Zealand that saw us take a four hour flight from Rarotonga to Auckland, an hour internal flight to Christchurch on the South Island, then a two hour car journey to Kaikoura. We also lost a day of our lives today when we crossed the international dateline - most of November 1st never happened for us as we left Monday morning and arrived four hours later on Tuesday morning. Still baffling us now.

We picked up our Jucy Rentals car at Christchurch and it was back to normal driving on the left hand side of the road. However, the indicator and wiper levers were on the wrong side so every time I went to change lanes or turn into a road I'd flick the wipers on. This occurred for as long as we had the car and became quite annoying and potentially dangerous, but funny all the same.

The drive to Kaikoura from Christchurch was lovely, the weather great too. It runs past lots of vineyards and through the steep hills and countryside, just inland from the coast.

We arrived in the small but stunningly beautiful town of Kaikoura at about 6pm to one of the most unique settings I've ever seen - steep snow capped mountains right next to the turquoise Pacific Ocean. Apparently they hold an annual event here where competitors snowboard in the morning then surf in the afternoon. Not sure where else on earth you could do this.

We checked in to a lovely hostel, The Adelphi Lodge, and went out in search of some food. Kaikoura is a small town and it's the beginning of the season at the moment, so it was pretty quiet. So we decided to have a few drinks at the hostel after dinner and take part in Pommie Mike's quiz. We later found out he's actually Irish, but his strong Sarf London accent makes him more Pommie to the locals.

The quiz was an intimate affair, probably all of Kaikoura's 15 tourists present, but it was very funny. Jen and I even got into second place at one point, playing our joker on the picture round (Famous Bunnies) which alarmingly we nailed and gave us loads of points.

Shattered from the day's travelling we hit the sack after the quiz ready for some excitement on the sea tomorrow.