Westport to Christchurch
Friday 22nd to Tuesday 26th February
2013
Day of Trip = 55 to 59
I think we last left
you in Picton (Queen Charlotte Track).
On the day we finish the track Lisa gets a cool wee email…a
job offer from Wellington Hospital! So yup, that’s our new plan for the rest of
2013 – the Capital City. With this in mind, and a new date to get back to work
(aaah!!) we slightly revise our plan for the south island. We fly through
Nelson as we figure it is pretty easy to return from across the strait when we
are working in Wellington. Get a chance to say Hi to a close friend (Paul J) in Nelson at least.
Our first stop is back to the west coast…its been too long
to see the sun setting over the sea, and Westport is a lovely little town where
we can enjoy the view. We stay in the Westport Top 10 Holiday Park…reasonable
rates, quiet, and we get the sweet smell of sileage to wake up to in the
morning!
After a good pitstop we head south to Greymouth (not much to
say about this town, we keep driving!). Cool pancake rocks at Punakaiki. We head eastwards again through Arthur’s Pass.
Quite a spectacular drive and we spend an awesome night freedom camping next to
Lake Pearson. Imagine waking up to the views of the mist over the lake,
mountain ranges reflected by the morning sun on the water…you know you are
going to have a good day when that is the first thing you see out of your tent!
Finally we end up in Christchurch…we get to catch up with
another of Lisa’s close friends (Callum) and then Haden’s aunt Suzie and
husband Jim, cousins Jack and Rosie. Great company! We promise to stay next
time! We spend a beautiful sunny hot day avoiding the cruise ship oldies in
Akaroa, and get some time in the sun and beaching even!
Christchurch has definitely changed post quake…2 years on
its still the first topic of conversation at the dinner table, and the city
centre is still a rubble demolition zone. It’s really sad, but there is, amazingly,
optimism from the locals. Respect.
View Larger Map
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| West coast - ruggedness reminds us of home |
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| Viaduct through Arthurs pass - pretty amazing engineering! |
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| Rock slide shelter and waterfall redirector |
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| Pancake rocks |
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| Freedom camping at Lake Pearson |
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| Not a bad place to be doing the dishes! |
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| Misty morning on the lake |
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| Late morning beer at the Hilltop Tavern - Akaroa |
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| View towards Akaroa inlet |
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| Akaroa |
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| You can just see 2 cruise ships in the harbour |
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