Christchurch proper and Hanmer Springs

  Hanmer Springs, New Zealand
Saturday, January 5, 2008

Day 15 - On to Hanmer Springs - ~275 km with some backtracking - Aspen Lodge Motel - NZ$125

We sleep in for once, since breakfast is not until 9. Phil has to cook, as Vicky has gone home to Omarama to visit her family. He does a wonderful job - sausages, streaky bacon, more of those lovely orange-yolked eggs we've come to expect, a fried tomato, and even a potato patty. We carb up and head out for a view of downtown Christchurch.

The tram is $14 as it turns out, so we hoof it. Who wants to ride around the city with tourists? We prefer to see things in slower motion. The cathedral is impressive. Pictures just can't do it justice. There is a street carnival going on, and I get some photos of it, including kids bungying in front of the Chalice.



We pick up our film CDs and look through the gallies. They look pretty amazing. Can't wait to look at them on a computer! Traipsing on through the amazing Arts Centre, we wind up at the Botanical Gardens. Since it's a bit overcast today, we decide to do the Gardens first, so we can get inside if a gale turns up.



We don't normally fancy this sort of thing, but the Christchurch version is quite different. It is enormous in area, and the variety of plants and trees is just as grand. The Peacock Fountain is beautiful. The many different colors of hydrangeas alone is worth a walk around.



The number of roses in bloom at this time is astounding.



We walk back along the Avon, admiring the punters and the many Scouts in town for a Jamboree. The uniforms they wear come in too many colors to keep track of, everything from gold to royal purple. There had been both e coli and chicken pox breakouts among the Scouts - we read about them in the paper earlier this week.

I must go to the Canterbury Museum. It starts to sprinkle rain as we get close, so we head in. The South Pole exhibits are exactly what I was hoping for - old snow machines, the clothing and implements from many of the expeditions, the huts and outbuildings set up as they were when people lived in them. I have been fascinated with Polar explorations for most of my life, particularly Shackleton's, so I am pleased to find artifacts from his crew here as well. They have even stuffed and mounted some of the loyal sled dogs that served one of the parties.



I finally pull myself away so Scott can have some tea. The cafe is a typical museum sort of place - nothing too fancy, but above average. The long black is dark and dreamy. I am ready to hit the museum shop, where many more gifts for friends and family are found, including a Maori paua shell angel for a friend who collects angels. She will not have THIS one!

The rain lets up, and we walk back along the Avon for lunch at Pomeroy's. Scott finally gets to try bangers and mash, and I have a salad nicoise with our new favorite fish, gro(u)per. We then pack up the car for our trip to Hanmer. We stop at an ATM in the suburbs, and I can't find my passport wallet. We use the other card, as I don't want to tear the car apart on the main street, and decide to carry on a bit before we search everywhere.

We really wanted to stop at the wine store in Pukeko Junction, but it closes around 5, so we decide to push to get there. He is supposed to have a good selection of Waipara Valley wines, and Scott can chat him up while I dig through the car. I go through every bag and pocket, dig under the back seat, and find nothing. Scott duplicates my search after buying two bottles of wine. We decide to go back to Pomeroy's, and call Phil to tell him of our dilemma. Nothing was found in the room yet, but I have no memory of where I might have put it, so we decide to do a thorough search.

Nothing. We call the Christchurch police to report it missing, and they tell me someone HAS turned in a passport. Can I hold? Of course! Oh, I'm sorry, the property people have gone home. Can you call back at 8 tomorrow? I guess......Phil talks us into going on to Hanmer, and promises to get the passport to us before our departure on Monday evening. I call the Consulate, but no one is there either. I leave a message on the emergency voicemail and give our Hanmer phone number.

We are both pretty worn out after all the excitement, so the trip to Hanmer is just a blur. The views of the Waiau River and the golden hills it flows through are soothing, but I am racing through logistics in my mind - can I get a new passport in one day in Auckland? Should I change my plane ticket or wait? Will Scott kill me before this day is over? One thing this trip has taught me is patience. If I can stay calm, my passport will turn up.

We arrive at the motel just at 9. They were pretty sure that we were not coming. It didn't even occur to me, in my addled state, to call and say we'd be arriving late. Too late for the pools, too. Ah, well. A man has called, but has left no message. We eat pizza and drink wine, and hope for the best. I finally think to call the Consulate in San Francisco, which is still open. The kind man there tells me not to worry, if I have my driver's license and a scanned copy of my passport ID page, I will be able to get a document to get me on the plane home.

We've also been following the news story of the guide who was killed on Mt. Cook while we were there, but his Swiss female client was saved. She still did not succeed in reaching the peak of Mt. Cook, despite climbing many of the other high peaks in the world. What a sad story! A German woman successfully kayaked all the way around the South Island, and beat the previous record by a full 7 days. My troubles don't seem so bad when compared with these women's lives.

I feel much better, knowing I won't be delayed by bureaucracy. Maybe I'm meant to stay in this beautiful place? We'll see.......