Walk on water

Dennis and I were out and about together this afternoon as Chris was at a party.

We started our adventure with walking on water.  Another typical Kiwi thing here.  You simply get a big ball, fill it up with air, and roll the child out on the water.  It is really a great way to keep the kids occupied and to make lots of money.  (If the recession is getting you down in America give it a go as summer job.)

Dennis just loved it!

After this I ran a few errands with Dennis and then we went to the beach.  I forgot to get pictures of our beach adventures mostly because I was freezing.  The water was very numbing but hey we managed.

I asked Dennis if we had seized the day today, his response was "Mega Carpe diem!"

Two Nights, One Day in Christchurch

We arrived in Christchurch around 6 pm on 30 December. We stayed at Addington City Motel where we had a one bedroom apartment. It was spacious, pleasant, and clean. They had a trampoline and some riding toys for kids.

We were tired so Tom went in search of take out and brought back some pizzas. The hotel had a DVD player and movies to borrow, so we watched "Bucket List" while chomping on pizza.

All of us slept in New Year's Eve morning. We drove around Hagley Park and stopped for a while in the Botanic Garden. The garden had a playground and a cafe. Tom put his folks on a tram ride while we investigated the rose garden and some conservatories.

Later we headed to the Gondola for a hilltop view of Christchurch (see photos).

For dinner we went to a pub type of place. Tom tried the beer sampler. I had bangers and mash (sausages, mashed potatoes, mushy peas and onion gravy).

Back at the hotel, Dennis went to bed right away post dinner. The grown ups tried to stay up late, but were tired out by 11:00. Some of the hotel's neighbors were partying. Again my earplugs were handy.

New Year's Day we were up bright and early to get to the airport. We took an Air New Zealand grab-a-seat fare and were back in Wellington within an hour. The landing was a bit bumpy due to those Welly winds.

Arthur's Pass

On 29 December we arrived in Arthur's Pass and were taxied to the Bealey Hotel. We had a couple of bunk style rooms with a shared bathroom. It was windy and the doors slammed shut. We had yummy food at our hotel for dinner, breakfast and snacks. The proprietors have been there a year and seem to be heartily enjoying themselves.

Next day, Mom and I checked out the village and left the guys at the hotel. Arthur's Pass raison d'etre is for hikers and mountain climbers. The village has accommodation, cafes and a small store. We visited a chapel with windows framing a view of a waterfall. The waterfall is certainly worth a look if you're ever there!

Back at the hotel, the guys relaxed and Dennis played with the proprietor's granddaughter. Then it was time to get back on the train and go to Christchurch.

In store for us were more lovely views--beautiful mountains, valleys and countryside.

Plane and Train Excursion

We took a small plane from Wellington to Greymouth on 28 December. Here are a few of the awesome photos I took. The Marlborough Sounds are just gorgeous. I got to see them a bit when I was on Outward Bound in November. The aerial view was quite a treat.

We were in a six passenger plane. Tom and the pilot, Zion, in the front. Mom and Dad in the middle and me and Dennis in the back, where there was the least leg room. Dennis got to sit in the front when the plane was getting fueled on the ground.

In Greymouth we were picked up by a taxi and taken to our hotel, Revingtons. It felt a bit like a boarding house, a bit run down and older. While Dad rested, Mom, Tom and I took Dennis to the Aquatic Centre for some hydroslide fun. We dined in town at a cafe called Food and Drink. Back at the hotel that night, the bar was busy and noisy. Fortunately for me, I always take earplugs with me when I travel.

The next morning after a plain continental breakfast at the hotel, we went to Shantytown. It's an old-fashioned gold mining town. We panned for gold and got a few tiny bits. I bought some hard candies. Dennis bought some "gold nugget" bubble gum. All this while we ran from building to building in the rain. Rain is a given on the West Coast of the South Island.

Then in the afternoon we boarded the TranzScenic train for Arthur's Pass.