Day 9 The first thing we did today, well last night actually, but it's relevant for today, was completely change our plans. Before we left the UK, today had been set aside as the day where we would rent a car and drive from Nelson to Kaikoura to go on a Whale watching trip, but I think we underestimated exactly how long the drive was. I knew, as we made the journey from Christchurch to Nelson a couple of days ago that it would be a long day if we did what we ...

Day 8 Today should be a great day, it's what we are here for. Tonight we see our first game of rugby as Italy take in Russia at Trafalgar Park. The day starts out slow enough, a lay in is enjoyed, as the alarm clock doesn't go off until 0900. With nothing in particular planned for the day time, we get up leisurely and take a walk along Nelsons beach towards town. The vistas on offer from the beach are truly amazing. On one side you have the city of Nelson, r...

Day 7 And so, we face another day of travelling today. We have a bus to catch at 0700 from Christchurch that will take us to Bleinham, where we change and get a service to Nelson. So another early start. The journey itself actually provides a welcome relief. It somehow seems refreshing to be travelling at ground level instead of 35,000 feet. The first leg of the trip is set to be about 5 hours, including a brief stop at Kaikoura. It takes us through the cit...

Day 6 Time to see what Christchurch has to offer today. Our only full day here, so alarm clocks are set early, and we actually get up and out at a reasonable time! I think we impress even ourselves! For breakfast, we have been recommended a place called Perrys, across the road from the college, but being a Sunday, we don't run into a cafe overcrowded with students, instead, a nice little place serving up good food at a great price. Only when you get out on ...

Day 5 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 offer...