I woke up to rain and strong winds, but decided I’d better get ready for the whale watching trip in case it was on. I phoned them at half eight and the 7:15 tour had been cancelled; however the skipper wasn’t going out until just before nine to check conditions for the next tour. I…
It was tipping down with rain when I got up this morning. I had a shower in what felt like a very makeshift arrangement outside the main hostel building, but was probably the best shower I’ve had yet on my travels! By the time I’d checked out and got back down to the town the…
Thursday 17th April 2008 It was cloudy again this morning and a call to Air Safaris confirmed that they weren’t flying. They did say again they were expecting it to clear, but I decided to get on my way towards Kaikoura. I’m breaking the journey with an overnight stop near Akaroa. Geraldine falls about half…
Wednesday 16th April 2008 There’s not a lot to write about today as I’ve decided I need to take it easy for a while! I have been gradually uploading photos, but the connection in the hostel is pretty slow. I also got some washing done today. It’s been overcast all day, but thankfully I’ve escaped…
Tuesday 15th April 2008 Despite being in bed early last night I still only just made the check-out time of ten; however I did have a leisurely breakfast and made up my lunch before leaving. I drove along the gravel roads on the southern side of the peninsula to Allans Beach. I walked along the…
The only other people who were in the hostel last night were a couple from Christchurch on their way home via Dunedin. I was up pretty early and after saying bye to Anna, who left for her job at the bank, and the Kiwi couple I was back on the road. It was really foggy,…
Sunday 13th April 2008 There was thick fog this morning so I took my time packing up and making a picnic lunch. I set off just before ten and shortly after leaving Manapouri I was in brilliant sunshine. The drive up to Milford Sound was stunning and very different to Doubtful, though Homer Tunnel was…
Oliver was up early and left for his trip to Milford sound. My alarm was set for seven thirty, but failed to go off, I think, because I had automatic backup software run on my phone last night. So it was fortunate Oliver was up early and I was only snoozing when I realised I’d…
I treated myself to a lie in until eight this morning and then a further treat of three fried eggs on toast-living the high life in New Zealand! I checked out of the hostel and tried to phone Freestone Backpacker’s for tonight but got an answerphone. I gave up and walked down to the waterfront…
Having woken up the German couple and Austrian girl who moved into the dorm yesterday I ate my breakfast at the table outside whilst the sun rose above the Southern Alps. As I finished packing the car a lady who’d been doing Tai Chi outside earlier asked if I would mind giving her and a…