Ilam Motel Christchurch

We're
in X'mas time, and I'm homesick, that's why I want to give some news about
me to those I love. I'm in New Zealand and I'm having a great time. Happy
X'mas to everyone!
Estamos
en Navidad, estoy lejos de casa y echo de menos la familia. Es por esto
que he decidido dar senhales de vida ...

... consisted of a bar called Shooters. Wanaka is a skiers paradise and everyone in the bar came dressed as if they had very recently departed the slopes. After about an hour a young gentleman sporting a large bobble hat (my first instinct was to add it to my 48 hat total but that soon evaporated) came over to me and asked if I had a rubber duck. “Err... no?” I offered, as an attempt to appear down with the kids but still not admitting to having something that ...

... launching point for all scientific Antarctic expeditions and the International Antarctic Center is located there. They had an entire exhibit dedicated to the discovery and history of Antarctica. We were in agreement that we learned more in that room than we had learned in half a semester of class! They also had an amazing land use exhibit, and my environmental nerd side was very excited about it! It really showed how land in that region is used and how it's seen from above. It's ...

... some drinking games back at the hostel. After we went out to a couple of bars and played some pool and chilled out and we sort of said our goodbyes (the girls ran off, lol). Hopefully i will meet up with Lloyd and Peach in Thailand or Oz (going to extend my stay to a month now).

Day 69

Today I went out to explore the city of Christchurch. It is really nice to walk around, as the old buildings have fantastic looking architecture ...

Harleynut Tackles The Big White Cloudy Campervan. A tale of a swift journey around New Zealand's South Island, set to "Wagon Train" theme. It's a story of epic proportions, so kick back, relax with a drink and read on... Note: SquawJenny is the wife. CalamityBarb and O'l Dolly are the in-laws. Washerwoman is wife's OCD friend & Herr Laurie is her Germanic OCD friend .  Day 1 - As designated trailboss, I led the gallant explorers through the cattle crush to the Jetstar check-in, where ...

... package: Punting on the Avon, Tram ride around the square, and Gondola. The tram connects all of these excursions, so I started on the tram then hopped off for a scenic and relaxing 30 minute boat ride down the Avon River.  The tram ride allows you to get off and on throughout its route, so I was able ride it to start the next part of the tour - Gondola ride. Since New Zealand is mostly volcano and fault-line formed hills and mountains, I've noticed ...

... ja hyvällä säkällä voit nähdä jopa paikallisen friikin The Wizard of Christchurchin. Käveltiin todella pitkiä lenkkejä ympäri kaupunkia, kuunneltiin torvisoittoja ja tsekkailtiin kaikenlaisia muita pärinöitä ja pörinöitä, että tässähän tämä meni oikein kivasti. Mutta nyt hetkeksi ihan muihin asioihin... Nimittäin sellaisen asian olen kyllä huomannut, että matkustelu, jatkuva lentäminen, ruokavalion muutos ja epäsäänn ...

... truck pulling up the ice cream truck! There is only one mechanic in this area, and this was the same one that helped us get the car road worthy when Silke picked it up in Akaroa. What luck! He was a nice guy, and told us never to stop after climbing such a steep hill... that the car will regulate itself, but if you turn it off, the cooling system also turns off. He urged us to get the gauge fixed, but said it was fine to drive on. At this point the car earned its nickname, the Beast.

... a round the world trip, except she managed to go to Africa and is doing her tour the opposite way round to me, and mostly on actual tours like exodus. From 1st impressions she is lovely, if not a bit shy, but once you get to know her she is lovely and has the same sarcastic humour as me - we were like husband and wife when we got bickering. Greymouth is a nice little place - quaint. The are only a few shops - but there is a KFC! So after dumping our things into our ...

... Auntie Noel, followed by the errands that must not be
ignored. Then the day tops off with a big family dinner gorging
ourselves on Thai food. Seems appropriate right??

Okay.... so if
you're in Wellington, Auckland, Gold Coast,. Sydney, Melbourne,
Thailand, Vietnam, or Cambodia in the next couple of months and you
think there's a chance for our paths to cross let me know....

otherwise stay tuned for ...