The Road to Kiakoura, NZ

Wednesday, February 22

Today we started our drive up the east coast of the South Island. 407.6 miles and about 8 hours drive from Queenstown to Kiakoura. We were planning on staying in Christchurch but because of the one year anniversary of the earthquake all hotels were completely booked.

We had to stop and watch the bungee jumpers. Tony and I still regret not doing this. The bridge was beautiful and I think it would be a little easier to bungee jump off of a bridge you are already at the same level as instead of having to climb bunches of steps the will psych you out.

We saw some beautiful scenery and lots of sheep.

We then stopped in Christchurch. The experience was very somber. The area the earthquake hit the worst looks like it happened yesterday, nothing has changed, very little has been cleaned up.

This is a shop window. The floor hasn't even been swept up. We talked to a girl who decided today to come back and see her apartment that she hasn't seen since the earthquake happened.

 This is one of the old churches. The picture below this one is what it used to look like.

After about 10 hours of driving we finally made it to Kiakoura. We were exhausted and couldn't wait to crawl into bed. Luckily, there was plenty of room in this place since it sleeps 8.

We were glad to be more than half way to Picton, where we need to be tomorrow.