We left Dunedin in the morning and drove to Christchurch. We checked straight into our hotel, the Chateau on the Park, which looked really nice!!!  Once the car was unloaded and the luggage taken to our rooms, we had to return the car to the rental company.  We had lunch in town then jumped on one of the trams.  We got off at the river and went for a punt!!  Seeing as Andrew had spent half the day with us without too much complaining, he was allowed to go off on his own to explore Christchurch whilst I stayed with Mum.  We did some shopping and then walked back through the park to the hotel.  We headed back into town for dinner then back at the hotel I had a drink or two at the bar with the Boy. 

31/08/06

We had breakfast in the hotel then went to Christchurch railway station.  We were booked on the Transalpine train which runs from Christchurch to Greymouth.  The train left at 8.15am.  The scenery was nice but the weather in the mountains wasn't very nice.  Very cloudy and lots of rain.  We made a brief stop at Arthur's Pass before arriving in Greymouth at 12.45.  We had an hour before the return train left so we went for a quick walk around Greymouth in the rain.  I bought a new Jade necklace at the shop in the station then it was time to get back on the train for the journey back to Christchurch.  We ate dinner in the hotel restaurant then we all had to go upstairs and pack our bags.  Mum and Andrew had to leave at 4.30am to get to the airport for their flight home.  I said my goodbyes to them both and Mum stayed in Andrew's room so that she wouldn't wake me up when she left.