Wine or whine...you decide.

Today I decided to go to the wineries. I figured I should do it while I’m here…I’m spending all this money on the hotel, I might as well make the most of Blenheim. It is why I stopped here after all. I looked into tours but most companies that I spoke to aren’t running them now because it’s their off season. So the only other option was to rent a car. It’s too far to walk. I pondered this for awhile because it was expensive and I wanted to make sure it would be worth the money. I just decided to go for it…I’d just have to limit my tastings because I’d be driving.

Cloudy Bay Winery

I had a great time… I went to 5 or 6 different places. The scenery was really nice. Surprisingly, Pinot Noir is very big here…surprising because it’s not the ideal conditions for it but there are several outstanding varieties. I had a great (ie expensive & guilt-ridden) lunch at the Highfield Estate.

Highfield Estate

I wanted to buy wine for several of you as surprise gifts. I made my selections, and then excitedly made my way to back to town to the post office, picked out some mailing supplies and went up to the window. “We cannot mail wine to the USA and Canada” the voice from behind the counter stated. “Because of their regulations it’s not permitted.” So I sadly turned to put my mailers back and shuffled home in defeat. Why didn't I know this already?

I considered mailing them anyway but if they check them at customs, would I get a fine or in some sort of trouble? I’m so disappointed. Arrrggghhh!

So Marmy/Jim, ZC/UJ, and Eric….enjoy the photos of your wine.

Another night in Christchurch…..

I left the beautiful little village of Akaroa yesterday! The night before I stayed at Chez La Mer Backpackers right downtown.It's a charming little place. I was just thrilled because of their shower. It was the first one since I arrived in New Zealand that wasn't shoulder height!!!

I arrived in Christchurch just as it was getting dark so I made my way over to Base Backpackers. What a cool place! I felt like I was in a huge college dorm all over again, but better. They had a huge kitchen, a TV room about 3/4 the size of a basketball court, giant big screen, and comfy couches and bean bags everywhere. I stayed in the Sanctuary, which is an all women section and bathrooms. Upon getting to my room, I met an American woman who was on her way to Antarctica to work for several months. Apparently she is going to be running some sort of retail store at the base there. She warned me ahead of time that she needed to leave by 4AM but would be as quiet as she could!

Then I met Katie, a sweet British girl. She was in as much awe as I was about the fun and unique atmosphere of Base. We met up with a friend of hers, Kate (also from the UK), and a Japanese girl (I forget her name now). We all went to the curry restaurant next door for dinner. It was the BEST Indian food I’ve had. After that we went to the Saints & Sinners bar, which is on the first floor of Base. There was a really good band playing…and good beer (Tui). I hit the sack around 10:00. I knew I wasn’t going to sleep well. I woke up at around 3AM and just couldn’t get back to sleep after that. I had to get up at 5:00 anyway to catch the shuttle to the train station.

The TranzCoastal ride was stunning. By far this country is the most beautiful I’ve ever seen. As soon as we were outside of Christchurch we were in the rolling green hills of the Canterbury Plains…lots of sheep (and tiny lambs!) and cattle….a few homes here and there, but other than that, it was remote. Then we entered a tunnel and on the other side the South Pacific was crashing to our right and the snow-capped mountains were to the left. We rode along the beach for about 2 hours. It was breathtaking. And to top it off, the sun was rising up and cast a pretty glow on everything. Around the Kaikoura area we saw the fur seal colonies basking on the rocks along the shore. There must have been hundreds of them! Some of you are going to kill me but I didn’t take photos… A) because I don’t like shooting photos through windows and B) I just didn’t want to take my eyes off the scenery! You all will just have to come experience this one for yourselves!

So here I am in Blenheim….It’s cool to see all the vineyards. They look a bit barren with it being winter and all but interesting just the same. I’m not impressed with the actual downtown area of Blenheim. It’s kind of boxy and stripmall-ish…and not as I imagined it. So I may head up to Picton tomorrow. We’ll see….

A walk to town and a road trip to Le Bons Bay...

This past Sunday was another beautiful day and I was getting a serious case of Akaroa-fever. I had to get out of town. I decided to rent a car for the day to see some of the outlying areas around the Banks Peninsula. The car was outrageously priced but it was really the only place in town (that I was aware of) to get one. I set off around 10:30 and headed up to the summit road. This road runs along the top of the volcano ridge which is the highest point in the area. The views were stunning, and the road narrow and curvy. Once at the top, I started the descent down the other side to Le Bons Bay. I don’t think I needed to hit the gas for about 10-15 minutes. It was all brake. The landscape was so pretty. It starts as alpine/rocky/green fields at the top then changes to some forested areas and craggy rolling hills and pastures threaded with streams. It reminded me of Ireland but with tropical aspects.

The bay itself was amazing. Surrounded by huge hills on either side, I’ve never seen a beach with such a diverse landscape. There were pine and deciduous trees, sand dunes, and rocky cliffs. There seemed to be a mix of white and black sand. I took lots of photos (check them out on my photo link). There were lots of neat shells. Does anyone know what type of shell I’m holding in this pic?



There was still something living inside of it…otherwise, I would have kept it. :) I had the entire beach to myself except for a family that appeared a few minutes before I left.…it was nice but almost eerie. Especially for such a nice day.

On the way back into town, I stopped at the French Farm Winery for lunch. It’s located on the opposite side of Akaroa Harbour. I tried a glass of their Pinot Noir and had pasta carbonara. I didn’t like the wine much, but the pasta was very good. I was tempted to get dessert…the Sticky Toffee Pudding caught my eye but I figured I’d save the $$$.

Monday it was back to the cold weather. There was some sleet and rain throughout the day but it was productive…lots of cleaning.

On a side note, I’d like to take a second to thank everyone who has sent me a care package! (Marm, Kayde, Grammy and ZC) You are all so thoughtful and I’ve enjoyed everything (especially those cookies Marm!) The latest package came from Zia Christa. She sent me a watercolor travel kit. I’ve started to use it, but I’m rusty with my painting techniques so it may be awhile before I come up with something respectable! She also sent me something to keep the spiders at bay…and as promised…

Wine anyone?

The last few days here have been absolutely beautiful…sunny and warm. My walk into town yesterday didn’t have the usual brisk pace involved…the kind that implies “CAN’T WAIT TO READ EMAIL”. Instead, it was bucolic and leisurely, like a Sunday drive. The brook that runs down along the side of the road into town reminds me of the creek that Kayde and I used to hunt for salamanders in, except this one is dotted with cabbage trees. They say that normally it’s just a trickle, but with all the rain we’ve had, it’s been rushing. There was the scent of musty, wet leaves on the ground which brought me back to School Street on a chilly October morning...waiting for the bus...but the memory was laced with the smell of dryer vents from french-style homes and strange bushes with colorful flowers. I have a favorite house on my walk now…It’s a turn-of-the-century cottage with a white, chipped picket fence. It looks broken and worn, but it’s the unruly garden that expresses how much this house was once loved. There’s a giant vine with a gnarly base that grows up around the porch. It’s branches curl around every inch of the old wood. The overgrown lavender shrubs protrude through the fence leaving you perfumed as they brush your shoulders when walking by. I watched two boys ride by on one bike, still in their school uniforms…one sitting on the handle bars, his navy socks pulled up to his knees.

It’s funny because even though I’m feeling settled, every morning I wake up and see the big wooden beams above me, instead of the plain white ceiling of my bedroom at home, and gratefully think. “Oh yeah, I’m here!” Familiarity is good…but change and the excitement of the unknown is what I love about travel.

In two weeks, I’m taking the TranzScenic train up to Blenheim. I’m hoping the scenery is as grand as they describe it. I’ll be staying in Blenheim for two nights. For those that don’t know, Blenheim is 3 hours and 45 minutes north of Christchurch right on the east coast. It’s known for it’s winemaking and I’m hoping to sneak in a tour of the wineries. I'm taking requests if anyone wants a bottle! :)

Hey everyone....sorry for the long absense.... I've posted some new photos of Mt. Vernon Lodge. Click on the link to the right!
I haven't been much in the mood for writing lately. I think it's good to take a little break now and then and just sink into what your doing without analyzing and recording every minute.

I’ve been settling into my new spot at Mt. Vernon. I’ve been doing lots of garden clean up lately so I’ve been enjoying that. Anything in the garden is fun for me. I’ve even learned how to ride the 4WD bike! I had Sunday off, so I spent the first part of the day in town. I decided to treat myself and had brunch at Ma Maison, a trendy restaurant here in town. I had eggs benedict with smoked salmon. It wasn’t priced too badly either.

I have this afternoon off as well and am going to explore the local library.

I've really enjoyed my time in Akaroa but I'm itching to move on. I feel like I've seen everything I want to see here.
More later.... :)