The Elms Christchurch

... a kind of thank you. However wife points out that far from returning a friendly gesture he seemed to be frowning and definitely angry! Looking back at my stupidity I feel like kicking myself, for while driving into Wanaka, we are soon tailed by a police car with its top light blinking. Something I had never experienced before but seen often enough in hollywood flicks. I pull over, come out am motioned to get back in and wait, while the cop is speaking to who else but ...

... a young lady. That is unless you're a thai girlieboy. We had brunch at the cafe' up top which was good value and tasty. Nice maggot bags (pies). Quite a pleasant surprise for such a touristy spot. We also had a couple of runs on the louge ride. I was bermused, because I was looking for the Lazyboy recliner. I thought it said lounge ride. It sure makes the hair stand up on the back of your neck when you're launching into the corners and the brakes won't work, because you're so tall that ...

... that every dorm has, boxing and wrestling (totally owned the boys. hahaaa) and watching the others play drinking games which were of a simpler nature ("I think this girl is a 4. Take four drinks"). Much spillage happened and the evening ended with pulpy, discolored girls plastered all over the table. So the moral of the story is... no matter where you go, party boys are the same (only, exchangers can't box for ****!)

... to work, as we had heard that work was hard to come by here recently as they are also in a recession. Becca had her first week at school which was a bit sudden but ultimately good to get some cash coming in again. So for the past three weeks i've been doing whatever temping they get me whilst everywhere looks at my cv, its not great admittedly but i'm getting enough to pay for my rent and sometimes my food too, which is pretty much all i wanted to pay for for the first ...

... travel to New Zealand from the US, but you do have to fill out an extensive questionair. Then a customs and immigration agent interviews you about why you have come to New Zealand, how long you will be here, when are you leaving, why have you come here, what will you be doing, etc. It is like a game of 20 questions. Then the biosecurity guy interviews me about my snorkeling and diving gear, about my camping, about my hiking boots ...

... up to that hole. Shireen thought it might have followed another penguin. We also saw some of the adult penguins molting. Apperantly they do this once a year and lose their feathers and get new ones. A molting penguin gets really fluffy, like our siberian husky when he lost his winter coat in the spring. It is a very painful process. They eat tons of food, and then retreat for 2 weeks in their hideyholes in misery until their new coat comes in. It was an amazing experience ...

... and I found that the reception was closed and I couldn't get into the hotel. Fortunately, they had a number on the door and I went to the mini-mart next door and used their phone, and the hotel owner came over and let me in. After I grabbed a bite to eat, I crashed and went to bed. From here on out, I'll probably only be giving periodic updates to my blog, since daily life in Sydney will probably be far less adventurous than my time in New Zealand.

The above title bears no relation to anything but it is the name of the restaurant at the Christchurch Copthorne, and rather appealed to me for some reason.Anyway, back in Christchurch and back at laid back Foley Towers, where we now know the system well enough to get the huge ensuite room 13 complete with what has to be one of the most comfortable bed in New Zealand. (and we've slept in 53 of them!). <br><br><br>First job was to find a new home for the Bluesmobile ...