Christchurch to Cairns

Set the phone alarm for 3 a.m. but suffice to say we didn't manage to get any sleep! Caught the Sudima shuttle bus to the airport at 3.45 a.m. and therefore were third in line at the Pacific Blue check in line at 4 a.m. By the time we boarded at 6 a.m. and arrived in Sydney we were both pretty much in robot mode! Fortunately we didn't have to wait very long for our connecting flight and touched down in Cairns at 11.30 a.m. The humidity as we stepped out onto the tarmac hit us like a brick wall. It seemed hard to believe that 3 days earlier we had been freezing cold and shivering sitting on the deck of a catamaran on Milford Sound.
Loved New Zealand! I particularly loved the hospitality and friendliness of the people we met especially those in the small country towns. The scenery is spectacular - a postcard company's dream! Not surprisingly, Matthew's favourite part of the trip was race day at Waikouaiti.

For me, I would have to say that the trip from Geraldine into the Rangitata Gorge and Mesopatamia Station would have to be the highlight. Lunch in that tiny hut in the middle of a beautiful valley with snow capped mountains all around is something I will never forget. I kept looking over my shoulder expecting to see Gollam appear at any moment. Truly a magical experience........