Oh what a day!
Leaving Christchurch the cheap way... taking the purple line bus which tours me around the outskirts and the city centre as it takes an hour twenty to get me to the airport (amazing value for NZ$8.50. As we travelled through city centre I'm still amazed to see building facades barricaded from the street and pedestrians by stacked joined shipping containers and mesh fencing.
So after arriving at the airport and shuttling over to Jucy Campervan Rentals and having the Jucy paperwork done, I headed out @10:15 for groceries at the nearby Countdown Supermarket. Then I hit the main highway 1 to get to Lake Tekapo (this is the main road out - one lane going, one lane returning). Less than 100km later the engine light came on, then smoke from engine.... I pulled over when I could (about 2km later). Called the Jucy help line. Then waited for AA Roadside assistance (which took over an hour as he had to come from Christchurch - holiday meant that no one was working/available at the closest town that was 15 minutes away). Dave the tow truck driver was a lovely big chap - and conversation lasted the way back (dairy cattle being a problem along with the water wastage to rear them, twisting glacier rivers - a unique Canterbury feature, the wine industry - grew too big - now getting it right, and Arthur’s Pass which I must see on a return visit as its not on my planned out routing). Back at Jucy they confirmed the vehicle is history - and I waited on a replacement to be cleaned (an hour and a bit for them to check, transfer and head me out at 4:30pm)
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| The vehicle on its last legs |
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| Cheeky Kiwi humor modifying road signs |
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| Me, actually not too stressed |
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| Loading onto the tow |
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| Almost done |
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| Big Dave finishing the load |
The drive
Roads were quite flat heading out from Christchurch with hoards of cows in the adjacent fields. This turned into rolling range terrain with sheep, climbing into foothills and mountains of the Southern Alps... of which some were speckled with snow/ice. Finally in the final stretch to Lake Tekapo where a startling abundance of lupins stood in the foreground and helped frame the landscape.
New Year’s Day and summer holidays meant my one night campground was chock-a-block with families (and boy do the Kiwis maximize tent/camper/RV space!). But the facilities were amazing (12 station cooking section in the common kitchen, with fridges and pre area; multiple showers and toilets; multiple outdoor grills with tables and seating; and lounge chairs to gaze over Lake Tekapo and hope to see the galaxies or Southern Lights in this “Dark Sky Reserve”.
After being "camped" for over 2 hours things finally slowed down for me and my stress from the breakdown. A glass or three of NZ vino and a hopeful recline on one of the provided loungers hoping for a stunning night sky... Too many clouds, and not enough atmospheric activity so I only saw few southern constellations and not southern lights.
Lights out ... another day tomorrow.
The Pictures... first landed and dinner
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| Dinner preparation |
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| Dinner with wine, steak, ravioli, onions and mushrooms |
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| My open air spot |
The Pictures... the drive in (aka lupins anyone?)
The Pictures ... the rest
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| The gulls were every where.. |
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| Storm brewing |
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| My closest to Southern Lights |
