Surprisingly, I managed to get some sleep on the flight from Hong Kong to Auckland. Only a couple of hours all together but it's more than I normally get, so I have to be happy with that.

Touchdown in Auckland is followed by an internal flight to Christchurch. That flight, at an hour almost seems surreal in that it's so short. It's a pleasure to get on the plane, knowing that you won't be sitting there for 10 hours or more, and when the stewardess offers you an upgrade on your seats, it is of course, rude to say no!

Not wanting to mess around with shuttle buses and then local taxis after all those flights, we take a taxi to the City Center Hotel, a 30 minute journey at $50 seems well worth it, and we are checked in by 1830.

The owner is so welcoming and shows us a map of the local area, but is quick to point out the 'no go' areas, those that are still off limits due to last years earthquakes and are patrolled by the army. Apparently, accessing these areas will get you arrested. These areas are within one block of the hotel, and cover most of the main city.

She asks what's games we are here to see, and if we will be seeing England play. We explain that's we were originally due to see them play in Christchurch but when the Earthquakes hit and the game was moved, we decided it was more important that we show our support for the area.

She seems genuinely touched by this and says that a number of other people have expressed similar thoughts, but is quick to say that the city needs all the help that it can get.

We take a recommendation from her on a bar to watch the games tonight, a place called 'The Fitz', musts around the corner from the hotel and it's just what we wanted, full of rugby fans of all nationalities, with a great atmosphere. We watch South Africa hit form against Fiji there before going back to the hotel to see the Australia v Ireland game.

An early start tomorrow I think as we will attempt to make the most of our only full day in Christchurch...alarm clocks permitting!