Coddiwomple Stardate 171224

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In Christchurch we stayed 4 nights. First night we had our own room with TV and Netflix. There were no double rooms available for the next 3 nights. So, it was back in a dorm with 8 beds. Christchurch was reasonably warm at about 28 degrees. We have found in places that are colder, they don’t cater for the occasional warm days. 8 people in a room with no ventilation was horrendous. So now we are in Picton in our own room for 5 nights on the coast with an opening window halleluiah.

It was a long day to get to Picton from Christchurch it took 10 hours. Distance would be about the same as going from Perth to Geraldton which is 5 hours. Our driver was called Lightning who stopped a few times for short walks and photo opportunities. The first walk was in the district of Hurunui and had a viewing platform over a lake and a nice 20 min walk on an Alpine trail. Next stop was the Maruia Falls. These falls were created after the 1929 earthquake in Murchison. The quake caused a landslide which changed the river course then through erosion the falls were create. Then it was Lake Rototti to look at the eels around the jetty and another stunning view across to mountains.

Monday, we said our goodbyes to the last Stray person that we have been travelling with off and on for 5 weeks. It was sad, we have met plenty of people while on this trip and hoping to catch up with some of them in our travels. We met people from Brunei, Canada, England, Germany, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and USA plus some I probably forgot. I truly believe, if politicians were to travel more of the way we have been getting around there would be far less conflict in the world. You do get to realise that every nationality we meet, have the same desires and just want to travel safe to see and experience everything they possibly can.

Tuesday was an improvement on the weather and decided to go on a walk to Bob’s Bay. It’s always been known as Bob’s Bay but there is no record of who Bob was. The track took us along the edge of Queen Charlotte Sound and was another nice easy walk.

Sharon & I are tourists. Tourists are everywhere over here. We go to all the well-known landmarks wait our turn to have a 1-minute view and take a photo of stunning scenery then move quickly onto the next spot. Occasionally when we stop in an area longer we get the opportunity to visit not so touristy places one of them was today.  Armed with a mud map we headed up a trail called Tirohanga. This was a walk heading up to their hill behind the town. It was a well-maintained track with an ascent to 250m. After 45 mins, we came to the lookout that gave striking views over Picton and out over Queen Charlotte Sound. It was a very clear blue sky and both Sharon and I agree it was the most spectacular views we have seen. With no pushy tourists up there.

In the afternoon decided to take advantage of the free bikes and we rode out to Waikawa Bay to Picton’s second marina and the largest. Stopped for a beer and ice cream then rode back. It was a 9km round trip and I don’t think Sharon was to happy after the bike ride. To many sore body parts. So hopefully I can still convince her in the future to partake in bike riding again. It really is a great way to travel.

Friday, I met Hem Dog the driver of another Stray bus. He told me the ferry over to Wellington had been delayed. Instead of leaving at 2.00pm we finally left at 4.30pm and got to the Base Backpackers by 8.30pm. It was a totally non-day, but I did watch Beauty and the Beast on the ferry.






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