So much for the rental car...
Trip Start
Aug 01, 2007
1
47
91
Trip End
Jan 11, 2009
Ashburton,
South Island,
New Zealand
Friday, February 22, 2008
Yesterday, we picked up our rental car at about 10am in Christchurch. 2 hours later, the car was a write-off.
I DID finally get to drive o the left side for about 5 minutes, including 2 roundabouts, before my dad interpreted the fact that I kept turning on the wipers when intending to signal, and a tendency to be in the left side of the lane. I will say that he was doing the exact same as me (except his braking was a lot smoother... blame it on not driving in 6.5 months!!).
Anyways, shortly after we go back onto the road after a lunch pit stop, we were driving along on our merry way (safely, I might add) in the southbound direction on SH1, when a car heading northbound stopped in the lane to wait to turn right. Well, they had their tyres already turned, so when a transport truck ploughed into them (it was a 70k zone, we were going the limit but I don't think the trucker was), they were pushed straight into our path, with the impact on my dad's side but not hitting the door or anything, front end is wrecked.
It was scary as hell, the airbags (both deployed) released all this disgusting "gunpowder" as one person described it, since they sit unused for so long. As soon as the car stopped skidding I unbuckled and ran out and sat on the curb because the powder was all in my throat and I couldn't handle it. Mom & dad had to be taken in on stretcher because of same neck pains, I rode sitting.
The bruis enow (Day 4)
We were all checked out and x-rayed and deemed ok (I have to watch for bleeding arteries since my abdomen took a lot of seatbelt impact and it's pretty purple), but considering, we're alright. So out go all the travel plans, the place we were booked at last night were jerks and charged us anyways since we didn't give them 24 hours notice. Umm, sorry, my fault... (I'm rolling my eyes here). So don't give Glentanner Park near Mt Cook any business because they suck! Same deal with the car rental... they are trying to make an exception but normally no refunds for early returns... next thing we know we'll be charged for not having a full tank of gas. Ridiculous. Anyways, in about 10 mins this morning I pretty much cancelled everything. We are getting on a bus to Queenstown tomorrow for 3-4 nights depending on what's available since it's the busy season... luckily the YHA didn't screw us for not giving 24 hours notice for tonight. We are in a cute motel in this random little town called Ashburton, where the hospital we were taken to is. EXTREMELY sore and bruised and stiff today... luggage handling should be interesting.
Anyways on a less depressing note, we had a chance to go whale watching in Kaikoura. It was pretty cool; we saw one whale twice go for the dive, and another one just sleeping on the surface so we didn't see him do anything exciting. We also got to check out this huge pod of dolphins, I was planning to do a dolphin swim on my way back through to catch the kiwi bus but as of right now, I don't have enough movement to even squeeze into a wetsuit haha. The place we stayed there, Bay Cottages, was really nice as well. Beautiful town, but not much to do besides the touristy stuff. Did a lot of repeat sightseeing in Wellington, and went to the zoo again. We all took gravol before the ferry ride so we were knocked out for half of it, but what I saw of the sounds was really pretty. The train was good too but not a smooth ride!!
Anyways, we are still going to try to do the Milford sound day trip from Q-town so my 'rents t least get to see SOMETHING, since we aren't in any shape to do the glacier hike, and won't be able to drive up to the Punakaiki pancake rocks and all the like. Then I guess back to Christchurch to just chill out.
X
P.S. here is the online version
http://www.ashburtonguardian.co.nz/index.asp?articleid=11008
