Spent Christmas day flying between Christchurch and Auckland, and what with the commutes to the airports and checking in and out, took up virtually all the day. A real quiet and restful day which was good as had a hangover from the night before. Also made the Christmas calls to family which was really important to me. Tommorrow - 26th - Boxing day - things will be open again. Planning on seeing the city. Steve

Arrived back in Christchurch on Christmas Eve, just in time to frop off the Hire car after a drive from Kaikoura. Booked into my accomodation and just chilled for the afternoon, taking a leisurely stroll in the botanical gardens and even when for a quick canoe on the river Avon. Just very relaxing. In the evening went out with a few english people from the hostel to a local indian restarant for their "try everything" buffet and then we went to to see...

Hi all, What a funny day today...NOT! Left Motueka early for the long drive to Kaikoura as had a booking at 3pm to go out on a boat and see Whales. Kaikoura is about 150kms north of Christchurch and is famour for Whale and Dolphin Watching, as they are abundant in this area. This is because the sea is extremely deep (1600 meters) really close tot he shore and so has all the things that these mammals feed on! The drive was interesting as the scenery changed f...

Hi Everyone, Up really early today with a painful back...I must write to Toyota Motor Co and ask them to make the seats easier to sleep in. Went into town at 7am and found a place open and had a cooked breakfast.....just the thing to kick start my heart and the day!! 8.30am...checked in for the "Dolphin Encounter"....so what is this??? Basically 12/16 of you go out on a small catamaran from the Harbour and go about 1 mile offshore to where the sea...

Back in the car early in the mornign to drive from Westport to Moetuka, which is the gateway for the eastern side of the Abel Tasman National Park. Only got a day here whihch is a shame, as the countryside is stunning with tropical plants and absolutely golden desesrted beaches. You can walk the park in 3/4 days and stopping in designated campsite areas within the park. It was a shame I didnt have longer here. Still, I tried to do as much as I could as the weat...