After a day of climbing cathedrals, getting certificates, even if we did have to pay for them, and drinking milkshakes in obscure cafes with free chocolate-covered marshmallows we began the whole point of our trip with the collection of our van! We arrived at ESCAPE at 10ish and were told all about the 'slight crack in the window to keep the cold out', not to damage the car too much (although we'd bought the top insurance just in case!), and how to actually drive...

I'm in my penultimate country! Arrived in Christchurch at 2.15pm, now a mere 12 hours ahead of home! I set off from Sydney at 6am for my airport shuttle, careful, but not too careful after my nights of disturbed sleep, not to wake the other dorm sleepers. I arrived at 6.30 and checked in, bought some breakfast from the cafe, $5.90 for yoghurt and muesli! Good job I did get something though, as I was flying on Jetstar, who I gather are similar to Easyjet so don't ...