New Zealand...Fire 'n Ice'05 part11

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G

glitch_oz

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Previous part 10:
https://wilddogtours.co.za/forum/viewtopic.php?p=35040#35040



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Out of Hanmer, across the Waiau River;clouds still low, it's through Culverden to Waipara and Amberley on the coast, just 40km short of Christchurch. We find a local Suzuki dealer who, for a little "donation", allows us the unlimited use of the steam-washer and we go wild on the bikes :).
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They have to be CLEAN for the Australian Quarantine Inspection upon arrival in Melbourne.
Some lunch
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and a fairly clean run through Christchurch to find our way to Lyttelton and we're back to where it all started, the Tunnelvision Backpackers.
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Jimbo'd sent a message recommending the Roach 'n at pub opposite for a memorable Burger and a cold Guiness, of course we had to try that, aye?
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Through the tunnel the next morning and into the shipping depot for the packing up,
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the booked People Mover appeared somewhere in between , perfect timing to throw our stuff into the back for the next 2 days of cage-sight-seeing around Christchurch. Up the Summit Rd. first

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and the backways to Akaroa,
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the old French settlement.

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Bungee-jumpers EVERWHERE...even in Akaroa ;D
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Slipping out the back of Akaroa on a small single-laner proved worthwhile, a magnificent marae (Maori meeting-house) with exquisite carvings well worthwhile the short trip.

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While still close, we slipped through the tunnel to Lyttelton again to have a look at Timeball Station:
A castle-style building...sadly right in the middle of a makeover so we couldn't have a look inside.
The guide was still there and told us about this weird contraption which was used by the old seafarers to re-set their GMT- timing to local timing.

The ball-shaped top of the tower was raised 10 meters and dropped at exactly 1pm local time every day, captain could set their timing then?
It also acted as a navigational message relay station?
Ingenious stuff!!
Taking the back-roads proved a good move, the scenery spectacular, a myriad of hidden coves and tiny, deserted beaches feast for the eyes.
Some steep single-lane dirt-roads added to things as well, no way we would've done that with a loaded-up road-bike.

Some great roads up there...another one for the next NZ-trip :)

Black skies and drizzle started our last day, which didn't really matter, it was off to the Antarctic Center?

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Good stuff here, lots to see and learn?. best of all was the WILD ride in the Hagglund, what a hoot :))

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Clouds had lifted a bit on the way to Sumner

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and Taylors Mistake; some seaside suburbs of Christchurch, some of it precariously glued to the cliffs,
The chocolate-shop was a welcome surprise,

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a walk through the Christchurch Gardens closed the day.

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Next morning's early car drop-off went smooth, Virgin Pacific didn't goof this time around but still took the long way via Sydney Well, there it is: 5 weeks NZ, with 4.5 weeks out of that on the road.
What a trip it's been?. [grin]...and YES, we WILL BE BACK !!
A HUGE THANKS to all who came along, helped everywhere and made it an INCREDIBLE experience?
:) :) :) :)

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https://wilddogtours.co.za/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2753
 
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