Antarctic Centre

Today we woke up later than usual as I did not get to sleep till 4.30 in the morning!!

Decided to go to the Antarctic Centre near Christchurch airport on the shuttle bus $6 each

We paid $60 in total to get in(which we thought too much for what you get to do) then proceeded into the sub zero temperature of the Antarctic Storm!!!

After freezing our socks off we then went to watch the Blue penguins(smallest in the world) being fed on way we went to four seasons room where snow fell

As you can see little specs of snow!

Blue penguins in their manmade home

A good day and inside was a bonus as weather here at moment is cold, rainy and windy!!

AKAROA

HI all

Today we went to the french settlement of Akaroa on the banks peninsula.Lucky for us again the weather was great, got a bit chilly when we were due home.

On the way we had photo stops we stopped at the following places

Birdling Flats (a beach with special pebbles)                                         

Hilltop

Little River.

Also did a nice little geocache in Akaroa and then went for the cheapest ice cream ever $2 for 1 scoop but he gave us 3 scoops!!! (gold rush flavour) then on the way back we went to a cheese farm called Barry Bay Cheese.

Mt Sunday (Edoras)

                 

Today we took the tour to Edoras (Mt Sunday).We were a bit worried at first because on the way all you could see was fog and mist but then WOW we drove through it and there in front of us was the Southern Alps.

We stopped of for a tea and coffee stop at a place called Stavely at the foot of the start of the Mt somers Track,which is an easy tramp so we might go back to this place and do that!!

Anyway the above picture is Edoras in Lord of The Rings we took the track owned by Mark Potts (the farmer who owns all this land and views!!!) and walked up to the top.But hey it was very WINDY but you got FANTASTIC views all round 360.

Check the rest of the pictures from today on flickr.

Larnie's Leaving Party

well got back from Larnie's leaving do!! Had a good time and some great potato wedges!!! Gave her our email so hope she gets in touch soon.Mandy said we can get staff discount even though we don't work there.

Going to Edoras this Saturday so will update blog with photos soon!!!

Work Update

Today we found out the company could not afford to employ another 2 people so our trial has come to an end!!! but we will be getting paid and Mandy will give us a reference which is good.

so we are back to job hunting.

we going to Larnie's leaving party tomorrow night!!

Bridal Path

                

 

Today we set off on the bus again to the port of lyttleton.Just the other side of the port hills.Once there we decided to walk back to the gondola which is on the other side by walking the Bridal Track path.

                 

From the top you can see the port of lyttleton (top picture) and also the city of Christchurch and surrounding areas (Bottom Picture)

New Brighton

After checking the weather report for today last night we were expecting rain.But instead we had a nice warmish day which got cooler has the day went on.

So we decided to jump on the bus again and go to New Brighton Beach and have a walk.

 

 

Here are some pictures from today.

Good News

Well, the interviews at Destinations (a shop)went great and we have a weeks trial starting Monday (different shifts) and paid too!!

I am working 8.45-1.00 Mark 1.00-5.30:-)

If we are successful will work same shifts 8.45-5.30 mon-fri for 3 months initially..

Taylor's Mistake

          

He he today we went to cave rock and did the earth cache.While we were there we decided we would walk the costal path named Taylor's Mistake.

           

Elizabeth resting after a hard walk to the top of the hill!! We went on to find another geocache and found out a local mystery of the area. You can read all about it here http://www.teara.govt.nz/EarthSeaAndSky/RecreationSeaAndSky/Beachcombing/3/ENZ-Resources/Standard/3/en

Job Hunting

Today we registered with Ryan Recruitment but they could not help us as our test results were not good enough!! Apparently though there tests are the hardest..

Also we applied for full time position in a shop we have interviews Thursday morning 10-11, so fingers crossed:-)

If all else fails Mark still has his job starting 21st July and we are registering with Brannigans soon too which may give us something

Throughout the day we spent some time in Cathedral Square .(yep blue sky all day)

 

Had a nice beer with some food at the twisted hop this evening, we recommend it!!

I had a pint of challenger and Liz had a pint of honey dew.

http://thetwistedhop.co.nz

Job Update

 

Well today I had my interview which was ok I was offered 1 and half months work starting end of July would of been first week in July if we were staying longer in Christchurch.Elizabeth and I also have interviews at a couple of agencies in the next couple of days, Elizabeth also has her IRD number sorted now :-).

Urban Rooms

Just a few pictures our urban house on Barbadoes St Christchurch.

 

our room

                    

Heavenly Creatures

 

Today we spent the morning around the city, we found Marks work and had lunch near it. Then we bought our metro cards for the bus and went to the warehouse for some essentials!!

while waiting for the bus we saw 'Radio Man' the local nutter, LOL!!not quite as funny as Market Dave We MISS YOU MAN!!!!

 

As it was a nice clear day we decided to head off for Victoria Park again to find the trail where the Parker/Hulme murder took place in 1954

We found it pretty easily as we searched it on Google the night before!!

Me on the bridge..

Where I think the murder in the film took place..

The actual murder was 200 yards behind as director Peter Jackson thought it too eerie to shoot in the spot!!

 

After this Mark decided we should embark on a trail it was 3.45pm by now

We got back to the bus stop at 5.10pm!! Mark went off Geocaching while I waited for him. Then we had a coffee and cake before heading home, picking chips up for tea on the way.

Victoria Park

 

Today Elizabeth decided we go to Victoria Park.After asking at the visitor centre in the square she told me it would be a 5 minute walk turned out to be over 2 hrs away from the city to the Cashmere hills.As you can see it was raining and windy later on we would see snow :-).

Spent the day looking for the trail where the murder happened which is on Heavenly Creatures.

Later on we stopped had lunch good old cheese and tomato sandwich.Close by was a geocache so didn't have to look too far from here.

 

 

 

On one of the trails we came across one of these mushrooms.

 

 

After getting soaked and snowed on we headed back to the bus stop and had a great coffee and cake.Elizabeth got mistaken for a SCOUSER HA HA

Second Day in Christchurch

Well today we had a bit of rest and did some walking round the local park also went round the museum which is free which is good!!

Found another job in a camping store which is only 1 day a week so might apply for it till I start my full time job in July. This is Elizabeth having a flat white outside (its supposed to be winter!!)

Also today the local college were doing some music in the square which was quite good and the local market was there today.

After a long day chilling and looking for jobs this beautiful sunset  on the way home capped a great day in the city!!!

update weather is going to be bad tonight there's a storm coming from the west!! SNOW MAYBE!!

Arrived Christchurch

After another long haul flight which felt longer than the last one for some reason we finally arrived in Christchurch.We shared a taxi from the airport with a German lady who has come over to meet up with her daughter.

We met up with Julie Bos who has a cool beetle with the same number plate BOS.After trying to take in all the information we were ready to get our bank cards at ABS bank.We got our bank cards there and then only thing is they don't have debit cards in New Zealand so cant use it on the Internet.

Also met a couple of our house mates just like being on big brother.Some are from Canada some are from Argentina.

After that we went to subway and then went shopping to buy essentials like milk etc at a place Pack and Save.

now chilling outside with the outdoor heater!! Liz got interview with agency on Tuesday

Leaving Singapore

 

well yesterday we went watch the laser show at the Fountain of Wealth you are supposed to walk round the water fountain 3 times while touching the water for good luck and wealth.

we didn't because it was cheesy so we just watched everyone else do it!

At 8pm the show started and lasted about 5 minutes.

We were not very impressed! could of been loads better!!

After this we went for a local dish of burger and chips :-) After the long trek back to raffles city I managed to convince Elizabeth to do the chijmes geocache after searching for the clues on the Internet we set off and found there was too many people around the area so I did it this morning and found it.

we checked out of the hotel at 12:30 and our now drinking more coffee at the airport at a place called the coffee bean and tea leaf!!

Next time we update blog we will be in Christchurch New Zealand :-)

Shopping Malls

Today we were supposed to go to the bird park but because Elizabeth only got 3 hrs sleep we decided against it and went walking round endless shopping malls and drinking coffee at starbucks!!

We stopped of and had a fantastic ice cream and cheese cake at a place that using no artificial ingredients. 

Look at the size of that Oreo cheese cake Liz couldn't finish it LOL.

I decided to have a Oreo cookie sundae which was well good.

Will hopefully be going out at 8pm to watch the fountain of wealth laser show in suntec city

The Flyer

 

Today we went on the Singapore Flyer(big wheel) which is the biggest in the world apparently and gives 360degree view of the city.

Me on the wheel!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mark on the wheel!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today we fell out over something as petty as choosing the wrong course for Indian meal but after a year together I am sure we will fall out over much bigger things but hopefully it will bring us closer.

 

At the wheel we could see the pits of the first Singapore grand prix track

and also the starting grid

Singapore Zoo

 

Today we went to Singapore zoo.Caught bus for $4 which took us straight there.

This the white tiger which was walking about.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liz with hedge the elephant!!

Funny eh!! a zoo with no real animals lol

The gibbons were shouting again mum! HOOO HOOO