Harbour Shakti Homestay Lyttelton

... overgrown garden to tackle. Trudy took charge in trimming the bushes and sawing the branches off trees. Max the planting and thinning out. The weather was good so both of us feel better for a few days honest work. In return we had a bed, were fed and had a few treatments thrown in. The lovely oxygen sauna was great but did take a layer off Max's tan - she wasn't impressed but looks better for it - she has lost ...

... a working port town that was good for a pit stop and some coffee before heading back to Christchurch.  I wondered most of the trip why the roads go over or around the mountains but never through them.  Finally, we ran across one that was a nice shortcut through to Christchurch to relax, clean some clothes, and head out for Korean BBQ.

... boredom if I'm not fully occupied all the time! If I could go back and swap some warmer less changeable weather for the sheer isolation we've been able to enjoy, I'm not convinced it would be an easy decision. Not only the deserted roads and beaches we've had all to ourselves but the attractions too - as a perfect example only yesterday we spent the last 30 minutes of opening hours in Christchurch wildlife park all alone apart from the ...

... provenances/education etc... Les 5 prochains jours je ne vais faire absolument rien de touristique... et ca fait du bien. Mon cerveau a besoin d'un peu de rangement apres toutes ces photos et ces experiences! Et puis j'ai besoin de me connecter avec mes amis et ma famille, ecrire mon blog (ca prend du temps mais c'est vraiment agreable d'ecrire tout ce qui se passe tout au long du chemin), dormir etc... Et puis j'organise mon depart de Christchurch pour que ...

So we've done the full circle of the south island and arrived back into Christchurch, this time around it was nicer weather so we went for a walk aorund following a trail along the river Avon. We ended up in the Museum which was mainly interesting because we learnt alot about the Maori Culture. (let me know if you want to know what we learnt then i will tell you, but we've got all the info somewhere safe!) Then we went shopping for souveniers, for us not for you!! :p

... and both did a Tandem Skydive this morning!! It was totally amazing and we're still grinning even now! We jumped from 12000feet, of which 7000feet was in free-fall and took 45seconds! Man, what a rush -it was great. We then had a go of steering the parachute ane Henk the instructor was really entertaining. In the plane flight on the way up we saw hundreds of dolphins out in the bay so that was a bonus. Who knows what he next few weeks will bring.....

... quite expensive, although not as expensive as those in the UK. We went back to the ship for lunch and then went on a tour of Christchurch City Sights. We travelled through the road tunnel which links Lyttelton with Christchurch - before everything had to go over the mountains. We stopped at the 'Sign of the Takahe' which is a lookout overlooking Christchurch and the Canterbury Plains ...

... of the river and had a snooze. It worked!! Got me through the day. Whilst lying there one lady (an American) stopped to ask if I was OK. Must have thought it weird that someone would lye down randomly. Though in the time I was there she was the only person who asked - though I don't actually know how many passed by anyway!! Went back to the city and had brunch - lovely savoury muffin. Made my way back to the hostel to make decisions on where the ...

... the mighty 'creeps' at the most scenic cricket ground i've ever encountered! - Eating RIDICULOUSLY cheap fish from ocean fresh in the capital Avarua - Snorkeling at fruits of Rarotonga - Getting sunburnt at fruits of Rarotonga :( - Lying about in a hammock reading.... It was a stunning place, with beautiful beaches and a warm and clean sea - which was so calm due to the reef surrounding the island. We loved the slow pace of life and cycling about places (one day ...

With just hours to go to departure I thought I'd enter what I feel is a first 'real' blog, as although I've gone nowhere and done nothing so far (this is regarding the India trip, not life in general -ha!) I feel I am now moving... I've updated phone and email with my 'gone fishing' message and even packed - I don't think I have ever travelled with so little stuff in my backpack, plus finding the smallest, most ...