Ok i'm bad.

I'm really bad.

I'm so sorry for taking a month, sorry 3 months to finish my travel post and well just make any update to here.

But i've been busy.

Anyways, let me use this post to wrap up the details of our trip and then i'll start fresh to bring you all up to date!

When last i left you we were boarding a train to cross the width of the south island to Greymouth. Once again we ran in to George and his mom and George spent the bulk of the train ride trying to play cars with us. The Tranz Apline train across the south island is in the worlds top ten train journey's. Sadly for us, we spent most of the trip in rain. The sun, did make it out for a bit and we got to go back to the picture car. The picture car, was possibly the closest experience to being a cow moved by train i think i will ever have. Basically it was just the bottom and top of the train car with completely exposed sides with the exceptions of a few rails. Anyways, it was cold but managed to see some beautiful country. The other interesting event in the trip was the long tunnel between Arthurs Pass and Otira. The Otira tunnel is 7km long and is rather an incredible feat to go through and one that Mom spent the whole time cringing and closing her eyes through.

The tracks


Us in our seats


Me, Matt and George


Scenery on the Way


A lovely gradient


Me and Matt in the Viewing car


When we arrived in Christchurch we headed to our B&B which was just slightly outside of town but was amazing. It was in this lovely house and was an all organic vegetarian B&B. We walked in to town (which took us about 35 minutes) and got some dinner at a lovely thai restaurant.

The next morning we got up and caught a bus in to town and went on a walk. Downtown in the main square there was a huge celebration going on for Buddha's birthday with all sorts of performances and stalls set up. We stopped at this lovely outside market outside the art museum.

Statue


After the Art museum we went to the botanical gardens. Although it was cold we spent at least an hour or two wandering around the lovely gardens. A huge park/garden downtown it had a variety of plants, trees and flowers including a collection of Bonzai trees, a huge greenhouse and a magnificent rose garden.

Flowers


More Flowers


Garden


Inside the Greenhouse


After we had some lunch we headed to the Canterbury Museum which had some fascinating exhibits on early Maori and historic New Zealand. We stayed until the museum closed.

Oh and i should note that today was Pat's Birthday! Afterwards we went and played some pool to celebrate and then went to the movies to see Gone Baby Gone (a very thoughtful and provocative movie. We then went and had a lovely dinner at this Italian restaurant. Much to Pat's relief, we spared him the cake and candles.

The Birthday Man in action


The next day we rented a car and drove out to Akaroa. Going up the mountains and looking back you get a great view of the Canterbury plains and out to the harbour.

Christchurch and the plains


Near Akaroa


Akaroa is famous for being a French settlement in New Zealand and had the English not jumped in boats at the word that the French were headed here to colonize it we would like be speaking French here. Anyways, many friends had raved on and i can see why. Akaroa was lovely and so quaint from the little street signs and cafes to the beautiful boats and beaches.


White picket fences and quaint street signs


French flags on the beach


After lunch we took a boat ride out to see some wildlife. Akaroa (and New Zealand) is famous for having Hector's Dolphins which are among the tiniest Dolphins in the world and are only found in New Zealand's waters. Other highlights were huge seal colonies and birds.

Hectors Dolphins


Seals


After our day in Akaroa (and a stop at a cheese farm on the way home) we went back to Christchurch, had dinner at the lovely Italian restaurant again (hey when you find a place you like you may as well enjoy it) and even managed to see a school band/choir perform at the Christchurch cathedral! We packed up for our early flight home and headed back to Auckland early the next morning.

The Cathedral


And that, folks, was our trip!