Holiday Part 1

Hello all,

I'm writing to you from Day 4 of Helen and Mike's Magical Mystery Tour through the South Island of New Zealand.

Day 1:
We left home horribly early on Monday, arrived at Sydney airport, did the usual Duty-Free shopping (We're running out of space for our alcohol collection at home - help!) and had breakfast at the Qantas club - highly recommended! Mike narrowly avoided being fisted by a lovely man in Customs, but got away with just taking off his shoes instead.
The diabetic meal on board was it's usual bland blechy baby food, and we were squished into the centre aisle just in front of the projector screen. Helen got neck strain and an icky headache from watch the close-ups of Catherine Zeta-Jones' nostrils.
Arrival in Christchurch was fine, we picked up our car and drove to our Christchurch accommodation, a cute little motel on the edge of the city. We went for a wander through the city, found a sports bar in an old movie theatre, went on the tram around the city, and general had some fun. We found a Speight's Ale House (VERY similar to James Squire locations in Sydney) about 2 blocks away from our motel, so we were forced to sample their wares and stayed for dinner too.

Day 2:
Went to explore Christchurch. We went on a punt through the city with a charming English lad doing the punting. The ducklings were VERY cute! Then to Viaduct for morning tea, and frove out to the gondolas - a sky ride to the top of one of the port hills. An easy ride going up and everything was very beautiful. The Time Travel ride was a complete joke - glad I didn't spent anything on it! Riding down the gondolas was interesting - the wind picked up and it was pretty gusty.
We drove on to Lyttleton, where Chirstchurch's main commercial port is located. It's a cute little village and very worth a wander. The Pilgrim's Rock was funny - a rock with the 1850s equivalent of "We Woz 'Ere" carved into it.
Then bck to the city. We stopped at the train station - firstly to check times for the next day's trip, but also becuase I had a job interview via phone from Australia, so I needed somewhere quiet. The interview went well (I think. I hope), then back to the motel to chill out.
Dinner was at Spagellini's (sic), a fab gourmet pizza place in Victoria Street. The chicken & cranberry pizza was great, as were the cocktails. Another cocktail menu to add to our collection!

Day 3: [Warning - contains Helen being ill]
TranzAlpine Day! We'd already checked our times, so we were out the door and at the train station early. It wasn't until the train was running, however, that were told that the storms the night before had washed out part of the track, and that the trip from Arthur's Pass to Greymouth would be by bus.
All of you who know me weel would be aware of my splatter-spread childhood of motion sickness, and my splattered-history of bus travel. However, the only other choice was to sit in Arthur's Pass for 4 hours...
The bus to Greymouth started okay. 2 hours later, however, and I was NOT feeling well. We made it to Greymouth - just, and the cool air really helped. A quick visit to the chemist for motion-sickness tablets, then lunch at a great little place called the Smelter Cafe - appreantly the owner/manager/assistant cook is a nutritionalist, and the food was great. Briefly, anyway...
Back on the bus, and I tried to have a nap. Mike struck up conversations with both the train manager and one of the drivers. I managed to sleep until the actual trip through the new road on Arthur's Pass. The most steep and winding part of the road trip.
Back at the train station, and it was time for Helen to do the psychadelic yawn in the only place there was moving air - the garden next to the train station. Also next to the train carriage we were then to travel on. I got some odd looks.
I managed to sleep most of the way back on the train, and kept it together back to Christchurch. Mike had to drive back to the motel where we chilled out a bit.
Dinner was at the Belgian Beer Cafe in Christchurch city, the drinks list included one of my all-time favourite beers, the Boon lambic range. Reminder to self - track down someone in Australia who can import this stuff, it's great! Their Belgian Beer cocktail list will make a nice addition to the collection.

Day 4:
Today we're still in Christchurch, and will be travelling to Dunedin after we do some shopping. Silly me, I didn't think I'd need thermals at this time of year. Fortunately there's a Kathmandu factory shop nearby. We're detouring via Ashcurton for some train-lovin' fun, and staying at a B&B in High Street in Dunedin.

Helen's Thought On Travelling:
1. Always have motion sick tablets on hand. You WILL need them.
2. Always take warmer clothes than you think you will require. You WILL need them.
3. Take a good book (reading or crossword) for those train-geek photo stops. You WILL need it.
4. Use a healthy amount of scepticism when listening to tour operators. The sing-song voice they all seem to use means that they could (and do) say anything and make it sound credible.

More as it is available!

She Says.