For pretty much the whole of the south island, this big indian family has been following us. Its funny but every bus we've been getting (no matter where from or how long we've been on it) they have been there.

We got on our boat in Milford Sound and mel said "wouldnt it be funny if out indian friends turned up" and a few seconds later there they were.

On our way to christchurch, of course there they were again! To get to the centre of chch we went through a suburb - A SUBURB. Its crazy to be in such a big place. Obviously its not a patch on auckland or london but its been so long that to me it just seemed like i was in a real city finally!

We also got to experience our first Base hostel which weve kinda been avoiding because of the gap yah/kiwi experience culture that breeds there but it was actually a pretty decent hostel with a good bar (then again we havent exactly been avoiding base bars).

We went to find an indian restaurant, mel said "we should ask our indian friends"... well we didnt - but we still ended up in the same restaurant as them! Very odd...

It was a reaaallly good meal though and we took some back for dinner the next day.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Im having difficulties remembering now! Okay - Christchurch. We walked around in the morning, its a pretty place. Did some shopping and had lunch etc, We have decided food courts are the way to go! How can one place have so much choice! Its safe to say everyones pleased in a food court!

Unfortunately it was a bit chilly so we headed back to the hostel where mel decided she was tired and didnt really want to see the gardens (fair enough). I quite wantedd to walk along the river which would take us to the botanical gardens that anna wanted to see so anna and i set off..

Never give anna a map. We set off "towards" the river. Til we realised we had been going the wrong way for quite a while. Instead of going back up we took a right to cut out a bit of the river walk and get us closer to the gardens... Anna took us yet again even further from the river and the gardens. Almost off the map.

Apparently a city built in blocks is meant to be easier, but not if youve got the map the wrong way round.

The gardens were alright but would have been nicer in the sun! Anna also stopped in a museum on the way back, but thats not really my thing and i headed back to the hostel.

The evening was pretty fun, we went to the base bar (BASE is the name of a nationwide hostel for backpackers, most of which have bars. This is the first time we've actually stayed in a base though weve been to a few base bars before). Luckily mel was feeling alright to come to the bar and we had a wicked night! we met some really nice guys, one of which mel will be seeing in leeds next year! it was also a UV party so UV paints ended up in a very good night :)