Jan
9
Finishing and Farewells
Filed Under Australia/New Zealand 2009/10
Flight from Christchurch to Auckland, New Zealand
January 9, 2010
7:02am
Our brief visit to Mt. Cook was pleasant. Nestled between the mountains is a resort/lodge for visitors, as well as a Department of Conservation visitors’ center and another exhibit area. Just after we arrived, the clouds hiding Mt. Cook parted and gave us a nice view of the pointed peak rising to roughly 3,700m. Part of the group went on an hour’s hike with Craig, but I went off on my own to take photos and enjoy the fresh air. I stopped in at the visitors’ center but didn’t get past the gift shop. I’d like to come back to this area someday and spend a couple of days here.
When we stopped for lunch, Joanne, Fredrik, Henrik and I went to a Japanese restaurant for some tasty sushi. The pieces of sushi were generously large, and I could only eat four. After our food break, we went down the road to have a quick look at the Church of the Good Shepherd, a tiny little chapel built by some early settlers back in the 1920s or 1930s I believe. Back on the bus, Lana collected DVDs from people who opted for adrenalin activities in Queenstown so we could watch them. We all had good laughs watching people scream as they jumped from a cliff for the canyon swing, bungyed from a 150m bridge, or fell out of an airplane for some skydiving.
Our last stop of the trip was in the town of Geraldine. This place is home to the Guinness world record of largest knitted jumper (sweater). It’s on display in a yarn store. Craig would not tell us ahead of time what the object was, so we had a good time guessing.
At 4:45pm, we arrived in Christchurch where we’d left seven days earlier. I was excited to take a nap but really sad that I’d soon be saying farewell to everyone. Craig and Lana had arranged for a meal out that evening for anyone who wanted to join, so we didn’t have to say goodbye to everyone just yet. Upon dumping my belongings in my room, I took a nap and then had a refreshing shower. About 20 of us came out for dinner at an Italian restaurant. For whatever reason, I could only eat about 10 bites of my pasta before feeling full; this might be a result of my being sick. After the meal, we all said our farewells to Lana and Craig who were off for some well-deserved rest and a day off the next day. Most people still wanted to stay out, so we walked around the city center looking for a bar to hole up in. At about 11:15pm, the group was ready to move on to the next venue, but I knew I should return to the hotel and get some sleep. I said my goodbyes with promises to keep in touch via email and Facebook. Fredrik and Henrik were also ready to call it a night, so the three of us walked back to our neighboring hotels and said our farewells then. I’m sad to be without their company; how fateful that Fredrik sat in front of Joanne and me on the first day and introduced himself.
This morning, my flight out of Christchurch departed at 6:40, and my shuttle to the airport came by at 4:45. Yuck! I quietly left Joanne sleeping in our room; she’s got a full day in town before flying back to Sydney and then home. I leave out of Auckland this afternoon at 3:40pm for L.A. Hopefully I can catch a nap in the airport before boarding.
About this Post
Permalink | Trackback |
|
Print This Article | Leave a Comment