I finally got smart and decided to create my postcards before I actually log on so that I can say what I want and not feel pressured to get offline. It's not that expensive to do at the internet café's but Phil and I have agreed it's more important to "be here" than document constant updates of "being here" although I feel a certain responsibility to keep folks updated. Or maybe I just think too highly of myself not to share my pictures. At least I haven't subjected you to detailed itineraries such as 8:15 pm drank 1 Speights Old Dark beer...so good I had another at 8:45 9pm walk down the street and remarked at how warm it is and how weird it is that it's 9pm and the sun is JUST setting. We've been really busy, lots of walking trying to do as much as we can and see as much as we can. Christchurch Approximately 15 minutes after we checked into the hotel the phone rang and it was Shane the Kiwi ringing us to see about meeting for BBQ at his house. We spent the evening eating nummy steak that was FAR better than anything we'd had at any restaurants and drinking Stella Artois. Shane for those of you who don't know him was a room mate of Phil's years ago. It was by a fluke that Phil found an old email for him on the web and began conversing with him again right about the time I started planning this trip. I emailed Shane for juicy tips on where to go etc. So Shane was in on the secret from the very beginning. Mind you, Shane has been known (reportedly) to be a little enigmatic but had to be more so to keep from spoiling the surprise. We had a wonderful evening talking and laughing and debating everything from politics to economics to social issues all of which Shane is very up to date on. I think it was the first time the Phil and I actually felt truly at home since arriving here. I'd never met Shane but had heard numerous tales of his legendary and sometimes nefarious exploits. I am happy to report to any and all interested that his wit is indeed razor sharp, his stories hilarious and his smile extremely contagious. A man of strong opinion, extreme intelligence and diverse experience. Good company all the way around. He provided an on foot guide of the many parks in the area, drove us to nearby hillsides at 11pm to see the man in the moon (which even without binoculars you can see quite clearly ---apparently only in the southern hemisphere) as well as the lights of the city educating us on the similarities between CC and Los Angeles' inversion layers. He drove us through the country side nearly all the way to Greymouth. Even better than the TransAlpine train ride. We had a blast talking and laughing and looking at the amazing sights. We stopped for some food and had unbelievably decadent desserts, in fact...Phil had two! Shane, thanks for taking the time off of work to be around and give a wonderful taste of CC. We love it here, and love the idea of coming back and doing more adventuring with you. You were an INCREDIBLE host and a font of background knowledge about NZ and the outside world's perspective of the USA and Americans. We miss you already