South Island Trip Begins

Ducky at New Brighton Pier

So I kind of slept in which meant I had a rush to pack my bag and print my tickets. Luckily I got to skype my dad and sister/ I walked down to the city centre and caught the airport bus- to the airport funnily enough. There was a bit of a wait but soon I was on my Jetstar flight and flying to my first stop Christchurch.

It was a super short flight - only 35 minutes! Landing in Christchurch I got the supershuttle to where I was staying, it took for EVER. There were two Danish people in the front and the driver did not shut up the whole time. Some of it was interesting but some of it was just verging on annoying.

Earthquake demolition in city centre

It didn't look so bad then there was rubble, derelict buildings,half of buildings and buildings being held up by props. Today was the second anniversary of of the big quake. The driver said around 10% of the population have left - I can see why so far it looked like a dump...






I arrived at Pointbreak Back (in New Brighton). Firstly - its MILES from the city centre, its in a terrible suburb that seems almost derelict  run down and feels pretty unsafe - there are also a good few unsavoury people about... When I checked in they had made a mess if my booking.They had me down for 2 people 1 night instead of 1 person 3 nights! The woman (she was pretty nice though) said she would sort it out. So I went to my room, it was okay nothing special... it could be cleaner - I'm glad I brought my sleeping bag with me! There are too many Irish here!

New Brighton Beach

In the mean time I went for a walk , even during the day it seemed unsafe. The place was eerily quiet and there were a few people hanging about.. I walked down to the beach it was actually pretty nice. They have a pier stretching out into the sea and there were loads of people fishing for crabs along it. I took a walk along it and back. There were seagulls flying up in the air and dropping shells down into the sand to open them so they could eat what was inside! Crafty!

Damage in central city

I went to the supermarket (saw the Danes again) then headed back (saw the Danes yet again!). When I got to my room there was a note on the door from the woman asking me to go to the office. I went down and waited in the queue while these two Irish builders had the chats. Then some American cut infront of me to borrow pots!!! GRR! :(

When I got to the woman she told me they had messed up - so tomorrow night I would have to sleep in either a dorrm with 11 boys or in the linen cupboard! She showed me both... the cupboard smelt really bad - BUT GUESS WHAT THAT IS WHERE SHE WAS PUTTING ME! Not happy especially since I paid $240 (no offer of a refund either!!) So then I got to my room and my Vodafone phone wasn't working. So  had to go through a whole big argument with an Indian and a Scot - think it's sorted now.

I went to use the bathroom - could only find the toilets - IT WAS VILE. I swore that I was going to catch typhoid or something. ewwwwwwww. Sinead rang me and was helping find somewhere else to stay because it didn't feel safe at all there.Then...

I literally just put the phone down and there was a really loud banging sound that was getting closer and closer and bigger and bigger - then BAMM!!!! A MASSIVE EARTHQUAKE!. The whole place was shaking like crazy, it was violent compared to any in Wellington! It was a proper big quake! Had to hold on to the bed so I didn't fall off! Never felt anything like it before! WOW! The ground may have stopped shaking but I didn't! (When I checked Geonet it was a 4.0, 8km deep moderate, centred near Christchurch,) I rang, Sinead, Mum and Dad straight away, I was pretty shocked! What a day it had turned out to be...