Christchurch to Nelson - Let the fun begin
Trip Start
Jun 12, 2008
1
11
15
Trip End
Sep 04, 2008
Kaikoura, South Island, New Zealand
Friday, August 15, 2008
It is also known as the big green fuck bus, for obvious reasons.
Anyhows, day one started bright and early in the rain outside our Christchurch hostel for the first leg of the trip, Christchurch to Kaikoura. The 7.20am pick up was duly negotiated and off we went.
Now, something I've learned from this sort of organised type thing is to basically just talk to everyone as soon as possible. Thus, half an hour on the bus and the obligatory introductions were being made by myself and the two jocks. Here, we had met Imi from Southampton and Abbie from Northampton.
The initial journey was fairly excitement free but as soon as you leave Christchurch north, you get a glimpse of New Zealand's natural beauty.
A mere 3 hours after departure we were in Kaikoura for our first full day of activities.
After checking into our hostel, we met Laura from Newtownards, Ulster and Ed, from just outside Cardiff. Ed is a big geezer, playing rugby in the Welsh first division, although the thing that struck me was the size of his head. It is massive, bigger than Sean's by a distance. Anyway, Ed is a top bloke and Laura, aka Gizmo, christened that because she is little, furry and cute, make of that what you will, is a class act, good craic indeed.
Kaikoura means 'to catch crayfish' in Maori and is a town that lives on tourism with Whale watching and Dolphin swimming as the main activities. However, it is a town that doesn't like tourists particularly, with some strange people around. There is very little there to be honest and as we had decided to not participate in any activities, besides, I've seen whales and dolphins in Australia, there was only one place to go.....the pub. However, the scenery of the mountain backdrop to the town is outrageously beautiful, it almost looks fake it's that pretty.
After a mere seven hours in the pub playing pool and chatting, dinner was in order. As there is a limited amount of take away options, we decided to cook. Well, the boys decided to cook and after a trip to the supermarket, chicken curry and rice was promptly served up and devoured by all. Good work lads. Girls, we're still waiting for you to cook, but as I'm in North America, take it that won't be occurring!
After dinner the fun started with drinking games in the dorm room with pretty much all the first day's kiwi bus people. Others included Claire from Blackpool, who incidentally I called Rachel all night, she was far too polite to correct me, and Adie and 'Jesus' from Scotland. This quickly got everyone smashed, but Scott more so than anyone as Jack picked on him the whole night during the game of 21's. By half 9, everyone was launched and the kiwi bus duly lived up to it's name. I'm not going to name names, but the next hour saw the decking used in an innovative way, a certain girl throwing up, knocking herself out and walking around starkers upon regaining consciousness and someone getting very angry at missing out on the action, thus deciding to lob his phone around the room, smashing it into 7 pieces.
So, all in bed by half 11 then, quiet first night!!
The next morning saw the hangovers from hell and a very quiet bus to Nelson, at the very top of the South Island. As an aside, we went through Picton, where you get the ferry to Wellington from. This town is the embodiment of the British influence on New Zealand, with the town's streets originally designed to resemble a Union Jack. This is class in my opinion and worth mentioning.
Upon reaching Nelson we changed drivers, who would be our driver up to Auckland. Our new driver was called Sharon. He had been billed as being gay, winning Mr Gay New Zealand several years back and all this other stuff. Well, this was complete bollocks and 'Sharon' (or Steve) is as about as gay as Brad Pitt. In fact, he was a top bloke and after checking into a gleaming hostel in Nelson, more like a hotel, we walked around town, much bigger than Kaikoura and had dinner. After dinner, the drinking games began and Shazza introduced us to the joys of '3 man'. I'm not a big fan of drinking games, all a bit Uni for me, but this one is fun. Especially when the bar has an offer of 2 double Raspberry vodka and mixer for $10 (4 quid). I know its a gay drink but its nice, so leave off. Here we met Simon and Mike, two lads from Armagh, more Ulstermen! Top top blokes, even if Si does come across as being a bit gay and Mike looks like Shane from WEstlife, a bit anyway.
Nelson has a few clubs but none were open on a Tuesday so we went to a local pool hall/bar and just had a dance, played pool and drunk... a lot. 4 glasses of white wine and a shot for $10? What are these people trying to do!! Don't mind getting pissed on 20 quid though!! After staggering home, we had a reasonable nights sleep and were due to cross over the Southern Alps to Westport in the morning. But the bus broke down, so had an hour by the side of the road in the middle of nowhere, which in fairness, gave us a chance to have a chat with Sharon and other bus people it was all good fun.
We also stopped at a Packn'save supermarket on the way, which was ridiculously cheap! I know New Zealand is cheap due to the exchange rate, but a large tub of pasta, 200g of fresh green mussels, 4 Mach 3 razorblades, orange juice, moisturiser, roast beef, a banana and chewing gum for 15 quid. Thats a bargain.
After finally reaching a cafe outside Westport, we met some others who had come straight from Christchurch. What a group they would be. What a start to New Zealand.
Stay safe everyone, see you all soon!
Ta, Al xx
Comments
Hmmmmm!
Mate - this sounds like it's going to be a good one - but how about losing your gay hangup - this is 2008 man - who really gives a toss what someones sexual preference is in this day and age! Loosen up!
Re: Hmmmmm!
Hello mate.
Just re-read it and I think youve just mis-taken the word gay, its nothing to do with homosexuals, just the stick i was getting for drinking that drink, and the stuff about our driver, i tried to make the point it didnt matter whether he was or not, he was a top bloke. Anyhows, hope your enjoying the read. ta, al