Day 305 / 2016 - A Trip Across the Ditch Part 1

Kia Ora, we haven't written for a while so it is time to do a little catching up. Recently we took a trip across the ditch to visit our nearest neighbour New Zealand and check out their much vaunted scenery and natural wonders.

Day 1 Cairns to Brisbane

Leaving home at 3:30 seems like an ungodly hour to catch a plane. The drive down was smooth with next to no traffic but there were a lots of the local fauna sitting on the side of the road prompting us to travel at a reduced speed. Arriving at the airport we found our way to the long term parking area at the international terminal securing a parking spot. From here it was a short 10 minute walk to the domestic terminal. We had booked a parking spot a week earlier online reducing the normal day rate by half.

Checking in was a little slow but no real problem as we had enough time. Bags gone we made our way to the departure lounge with about 15 minutes to spare before boarding. Our flight was called and everyone one was on board and for the first time in history we had a spare seat next to us woo hoo. The plane actually pushed back early by about 5 minutes and we were off. The inflight food wasn't much to write home about consisting of a nibble and a cup of coffee still it was enough. Landing in Brisbane at about 7:30 we dis-embarking and made our way to baggage with again another first our bags were one of the first to come out. We look for somewhere to eat but unless we went into departures there was very little choice. We decided to move on and headed straight to the train platform catching the first available into town. At $35.00 for the both of us this was still cheaper and easier than catching a taxi.

Alighting at Central station we made our way to McDonalds for breaky before walking the 800 metres to the Meriton Serviced Apartments where Luckily we were able to check in early at 10:00am. The trade off was we had to accept a room on a lower floor (4) to us this was no biggie the alternative we would have had to wait until a higher floor room became available. That afternoon Frank and Alice arrived and sacrificed their 29th floor 2 bedroom apartment upgrade to end up on the 4th floor same as us. For lunch we walked to the cafe next door to pickup a pizza then to the bottle shop further down the street for a bottle of fine $10 wine. We then waited for John and Leila to arrive expected somewhere around 4:30pm. Unknown to us they had schemed some plans to meet them at a bar but somehow we didn't get the memo. We ended up meeting them at a Resturaunt called the Beach House where we enjoyed a parmi meal and more wine before heading back to the hotel for the night.

Day 2 Brisbane to Christchurch

Waking early we organised our own breakfast and showers before heading down to join the others and wait for the taxi to take us to the airport. Arriving at the airport we made our way to the checking counter getting through quite quickly as there were very few people there at the time. After a coffee we made our way down through immigration to the Departure hall where we waited for about half an hour to board our plane. Boarding the plane we took our allocated seats in the exit rows affording us more legroom very comfy.

After a flight of 3 hours we arrived in Christchurch and made our way through immigration. Both Australia and New Zealand are now using electronic border control. You put your passport into a scanner and receive a ticket. You then step up to a camera which verifies you to your photo before letting you through the starting gate into the country. We exchanged some Aussie dollars for kiwi dollars at the airport. We did this so we had some money but it ended up being an expensive option. Not only was The exchange rate poor at about $1 =$1 but they charged us $11.00 for the privilege giving us $89.00 for our $100.00 which is the worst airport rate we have ever experienced things have changed since 1999. We found the best cash exchange rate was at the major banks with no exchange fee.

Next we picked up the hire car and headed to the nearest takeaway for something to eat as virgin didn't feed us on this flight. After lunch we headed to the hotel and checked in. The rooms were basic but quite clean the bed was comfortable which is all you can really ask for. That evening we went out for tea at the Thai Po Thong restaurant only a block away. The food was plentiful and tasty for a very reasonable price. We then headed back to the hotel for a nightcap before retiring for the night. We have been using the credit card for purchases and we are getting a good conversion rate (1.067). Without a foreign transaction fee so this seems to be our cheapest option so far.

Day 3 Christchurch

We woke early this morning again organising our own breakfast and a shower then caught up with the others to discuss today's activities. Originally we had planned to head to Arthurs Pass for lunch but the morning forecast had predicted severe weather especially along the mountain ranges so opted instead to stay in Christchurch.

Leaving the hotel we headed to Papanui shopping centre for a stroll amongs the shops which had me making the comment "we flew 3000km just to go to the shops." This didn't go down well and I got a few glares especially from the ladies of the group. From here we went to the airforce museum which had lots of various displays of aircraft used over time by the NZ airforce. We were also given the opportunity look through aircraft only accessible by a guided tour. After that we flew a mosquito bomber flight simulation attacking and destroying ships or land targets. There were many displays of different aircraft and how they were used in peace time and during the wars. We then lunched at the local cafe.

From here we drove onto Christchurch Gondola near Lyttleton Harbour but by the time we got there the weather had closed in and there were no views from the top so decided to drive into Lyttleton Harbour, onto Sumner finally arriving in Christchurch CBD. We looked at each of these areas taking in the damage caused by the earthquake. Even after all these years you can still see clearly the scars with the centre of town resemble more of a construction site than a vibrant centre of commerce That evening we returned to the hotel for a few nibbles and wine before heading to the local fish and chip shop to pick up takeaway dinner. Eating we all agreed this definitely wasn't the best fish and chips we ever had.

Day 4 Christchurch.

Again waking early this morning the weather had much improved and we could see fresh snow on the mountains as we headed west towards Arthur's past. Passing through the town of Melton, Springfield and Darfield. we stopped briefly for a coffee. Reaching the ranges we started up stopping at a number of scenic view points along the way. We marvelled at how clean the rivers looked as water ran away from the melting snow.

Reaching Arthur's Pass we stopped at the general store for another coffee and watch a Kea bird nick a hot pie right off the plate of an unsuspecting tourist. It was funny how we could see it happening but he didn't. It wasn't quite lunch time so we headed a little further west along the road stopping at Bealey Valley walk which took us onto a bridge crossing a waterfall in full flow. We then returned to Arthur's Pass for lunch at the wobbly Kea Restraunt.

Finishing lunch we then headed back to Christchurch stopping occasionally to take in the scenic vistas finally returning to the motel. We had planned to try the gondola ride again but we simply ran out of time and would not have made it before closing. That evening we had takeway Noodles for dinner chased with a few glasses of wine.

Day 5 Christchurch to Dunedin

Leaving the Elm and Christchurch we headed south down highway 1. Stopping in at Ashburton for a coffee we took a brief tour of botanic gardens eying the tulips in flower then continued on south again. Arriving in Timaru we did a driving tour through the middle of town before stopping at McDonalds for lunch. Back on thre road driving along we couldn't help but admire the striking backdrop of mountains which accompanied us all the way to our next destination Dunedin.

Before reaching Dunedin we stopped twice more once for the natural attraction of the granite boulders resting on the beach and the second time at the cheese shop. Arriving in Dunedin we navigated our way to our next accommodation a B&B called Hulme Court only 1 street back from "The Octagon", which marks the centre of town. After checking in we walk into town down what ended up being a pretty steep street. Passing through the Octogon Frank was on a mission to locate the pub which we destroyed on our visit in 1999.

To find out more you need to read Alicia Hopes Book "The Brande Legacy."

Although we couldn't remember the previous name of the pub it is now known know as the Bog Hotel of Irish descent. We walked further down the road and located the monkey brains Chinese resturaunt which we wern't sure if it was still trading or not. Further on was our 1999 visit accommodation the Sahara Inn. Returning to our current digs we took a walk up and over several steep streets supposedly as short cut.

That evening we 'drove' to the Bog Hotel for an exquisite meal which included Guinness pie, roast chicken and seafood chowders. After dinner we took an evening drive to Port Charmers before returning back to our beds to retire for the evening.

Day 6 Dunedin and the Castle

Hulm Court accommodation provided breakfast as part of the tariff which included cereal and toast. After checking out we drove into town for a look at the information centre. Frank and I went to a look at Music shops while the others looked for souvenirs. Next we headed out to the coast for a look at the Albatross Centre and the rugged coastline on which it sits. Having lunch at the Albatross Centre's cafe we then headed for the main reason we came to Dunedin a night in the Castle.

Assigned our rooms we took in the panoramic view over Dunedin harbour from our balconies. We then walked around the castle grounds and through the buildings of which the public have access to. There was much information describing the life of the original owner and his family and how the castle was fully restored after being left abandoned. In the evening we dined in the castle music room to a 3 course dinner with the sparkling personable Ken our host. He related his version of ghost stories of the castle which weren't all that inspiring.

There were about 25 guest in total from a number of different nationalities. The meal was nice but my lamb was not so flavorable and a little tough. We thought the evening was fine but could do with a little more something in the entertainment department. Being a castle gives you a licence to do almost any kind of themes. We then retired for the evening to our rooms fitting in a quick glass of wine and dreaming up schemes of how we would host a night at the castle.