Last day...

I knew this day would have to come...yes, it's finally time to leave NZ and get back home. Our flight leaves in a few hours from Christchurch.

We finally got the bikes patched together in Omaru, but because of it we had a late start. I had hoped to see Mt. Cook and Lake Tekapo, but that will have to be another time :) So Dave and I headed up the East Coast to the big city of Christchurch. Fun place, reminds me of San Fran without the hills, and I guess the Golden Gate:) Both of us seem to have come down with colds yesterday, so were more or less laid out. We'd go out a couple hours at a time, but then had to come back and rest. Bugger! There is so much to see, and on my birthday, too. But don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining!! It's been a fantastic trip. When I get home, I'll post some of the pictures.

Before we left Omaru, I did visit one of the dental offices there. Whoa, it was not pretty. Very old and quite dirty. The building itself was quite on in years and the mold was very pungent. It actually burned my nose as the dentist and I were chatting. He must have been the only one there because the reception window went right into the treatment room. I did manage to sneak off a couple pics.

Yesterday was Earth Day here, where everyone goes off electricity for one hour. It was started in Australia i guess and has become quite the phenomenon! The city takes on a whole new life and everyone seemed straight into it. We also saw some street fares, the Christchurch Cathedral, and some other things. I would have like to have explored the suburbs a bit.

Last night, Dave and I did manage to get out and celebrate. Christchurch has so many great places, most of them have open mics or bands playing. Lots of Irish and Scottish bars. NZ also has the best Indian food I've ever had...who knew?

I'll have to finish this later....gotta go check out....

Ok, I'm back, but only for a bit...my shuttle leaves in 15 min..

After being in NZ, a few things become familiar to you:
1. Your loo/toilet has 2 buttons...one for #1 and one for #2 (water conservation)
2. Very environment conscious.
3. Kiwis are very into their coffee. The terms Long Black, Short Black and Flat White become part of your regular vocabulary
4. Pasties, pies and savoury muffins become part of a regular diet :)
5. Pump gas, then pay...this is true with some sale items. Kiwis give people the benefit of the doubt in regards to indiviual character. This is starting to change, though.
6. Rugby and Crickett are the sports in NZ
7. Making fun of Aussies is a pastime.
8. What the hell is marmite? :)
9. MMM....Whitebait!!
10. There are more cattle and sheep then people here.
11. Equally, there are more vet clinics then med/dent clinics (that I could tell), and they are nicer too

Ok, gang. See you back in the States. If you've been following along, thank you, I'm flattered.

Cheers for now,

john