CAMPERVAN COLLECTION AND FIRST TRIP TO DUVAUCHELLE

Today's the day! we got a shuttle to Wendekreisen Camper hire and began the laborious job of getting the camper. Great lady explained how everything worked and there was so much I could see Roy go blank! We'll figure it out as we go along. We borrowed a courtesy van and toddled off to Countdown supermarket to get groceries. Then began the loading of the camper - in a word -SMALL!
Had a bit of a meltdown but all the food did eventually go somewhere. We stuck the cases in and left. Drove hour and half to Duvaucchelle a pretty campsite on the side of an inlet called Akaroa harbour. Our first view - oh its just like the Lakes with sunshine
Spent about half an hour stuffing clothes etc in to all available space which did seem to expand like a Tardis, but it's still SMALL!

Had a walk round the water's edge then back to cook delicious soup on our two ring hob! 

VIEW OF DUVAUCHELLE ACROSS THE WATER 

ONE END OF THE VAN

VIEW FROM OUR SITE

                                 THE OTHER END OF THE VAN   - SMALL!

HUNDREDS OF OYSTERCATCHERS

INTERNATIONAL ANTARCTIC CENTRE, CANTERBURY MUSEUM AND BOTANICAL GARDENS IN CHRISTCHURCH

A fabulous day despite rain and temp of 12oC! We caught the free shuttle to the International Antarctic Centre and spend 3 hours 
1.  Exchillerating fun at minus 8oC, real snow and ice in the indoor polar room, experienced an Antarctic storm where wind chill plummets to minus 18oC.
2.  Hagglund ride aboard the amphibious all terrain vehicles used in the Antarctic, a hairy ride!
3.  Saw rescued Little Blue penguins and Huskies.
4.  Learned about climate wildlife, life at Scott Base and all things Antarctic.
5. Cinema style theatre experience called Ice Voyage includes realistic 3D images and 4D effects of sudden motion, seat movement, water spray, air bursts and bumps.

What an experience.....and I'd like to point out that one of Roy's ambitions was to go to Antarctica - well he's just had it! There's no way I want to go.

INTERNATIONAL ANTARCTIC CENTRE

HUSKY

SMALL BLUE PENGUINS

INSIDE HAGGLUND

HAGGLUND RIDE

HAGGLUND RIDE

SKI DOO PRETEND

ANTARCTIC STORM EXPERIENCE

ANTARCTIC STORM EXPERIENCE

Back to the Canterbury Museum for coffee cake and more information overload, I now know more about Antarctica than you can imagine!

SAW THIS IN MUSEUM AND FELT RIGHT BACK HOME!

SNO CAT SEE INFO BELOW

HUGE GLOBE WHICH SHOWS JUST HOW CLOSE NEW ZEALAND AND US ARE TO ANTARCTICA

STUFFED ONES IN CASE I DONT GET TO SEE REAL ONES!

Back to motel via Botanical gardens again after a great day!

PEACOCK FOUNTAIN

PARADISE SHELDUCK

FABULOUS FERN

NEW ZEALAND ADVENTURE

Perfect flights with Singapore Airlines, all on time, no hassle, wonderful food far better than any USA airlines we have been on. I have to say the flights were far less stressful than I'd imagined as we travelled for 23+ hours but we did sleep quite a bit.

We changed at Singapore but all we saw was rain, our first sight of New Zealand.....just like our fields in England!

Quickly through passport but slightly longer with security as they had to check our hiking boots for dirt, mine got a clean as I'd left tiny bits of mud but Roy's were fine. They are super protective of their pristine country. They were so very friendly and helpful explaining about all the "bugs" they don't want in.

Booked into our motel, showered and then out for the afternoon to see Christchurch, warm here 26oC. Small centre with so many buildings still derelict or in state of repair after the 2010/2011 earthquake. Sad to see the beautiful cathedral one of them,  we went off to find the Cardboard Cathedral, a transitional cathedral.

LOTS OF MURALS TO BRIGHTEN THE DISASTER AREAS

CATHEDRAL SQUARE

SCOTT OF THE ANTARCTIC

CHRISTCHURCH CATHEDRAL 7 YEARS AFTER EARTHQUAKE

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STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN!

CARDBOARD CATHEDRAL

SO HOT!

MONTEREY CEDAR

BOTANICAL GARDENS

Walked through the Botanical Gardens with vast trees from around the world after a couple of beers and pie and mash at Micky Finns Irish pub.