Entries in "Christchurch"
Near Death Experiences and other facts of life, Thu Aug 3, 2006
So many things can happen to a person when one is just living normally. Its a wonder we make it to the dairy across the street without losing a limb, or at least getting clipped by a fast moving car. But in my case, it was an exploding tyre.
For example, consider my last few days on the road. We have been driving over curvy roads in the mountains of Fiordland National Park covered with grit/gravel for the "ice" that wasn't there. Try walking on marbles; its easier. A few days later, we're in Wanaka. As I slow down to take Ben down the scenic lakefront drive, I notice a wobbling. Its not the earth, or my eyes, or even my brain on some wild trip--its the car, and I can't tell where its coming from...
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Back in Christchurch, Fri Jul 28, 2006
I don't really have time to go into detail, but as you can tell, we went east across the mountains to Christchurch. We met up with some old friends of mine that run a backpacker in the city. Tonight there is an All Blacks test match on against Australia. Big match! And afterwards, some time out in the city celebrating the victory and the 150th anniversary of the city of Christchurch.
The real news is that we uploaded the new pictures from Mary's fancy camera. (Thanks Mom2!) So enjoy the new photos. Tony should be jealous of Ben's skill with the camera. Some of these are really good!
My First Farmstay, Tue May 16, 2006
I spent the last week very far from civilization on an elderly couple's retirement bloc of 20 acres. I set up fences, chopped firewood, pulled weeds, cleaned tack (horse-riding equipment) and anything else that needed done. I learned a fair amount about life in NZ, and also about my host Georgie.
She and her husband emigrated from the UK over 40 years ago and are naturalized citizens of NZ. Her father was a career soldier and her family travelled all over the world to live with him at his different posts. She told me about living in Ghana, recalling some of her favorite memories of visiting local chieftans. Her father was the last British military officer in charge of the country's defences while the country's shift to independence was established.
I ride horses now, but not very well (at least according to the high standards I set for myself.) English riding is very, very complicated. Good riders can make a horse do almost anything, including jumping huge fences, ditches, and puddles, then doing a pirouette, walking backwards, and then trotting sideways. But I'm really into it. I rode a good-looking chestnut TB gelding named Toby every day the sun was shining and read about four different books on technique. I can do the 3 basic paces--walk, rising trot, canter--and I can of course turn and stop. Stanford has a stables and I'm surely riding as much as possible when I get there.
Current hobbies to date: sailing, rock climbing, horseback riding, aikido, tramping, snowboarding (though I'm hardly any good at any of them)
Still need to try kiteboarding :) Now in Christchurch again, hopefully getting my car inspected early tomorrow. Then I'm off for some rejuvinating hot spring baths up in the mountains, and then swimming with dolphins before coming back to Christchurch for Super 14 rugby semi-final game on Saturday.
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NZ Tsunami Survivor, Fri May 5, 2006
So there was a huge earthquake in Tonga in the Pacific Ocean that could have sent a tsunami smashing into New Zealand. Luckly, the Civil Defence was there to blatantly disregard warnings from the BBC and wisely kept quiet about the 50m wave of certain death approaching from the north. Some citizens were woken in the middle of the night by calls overseas from worried friends; many evacuated their homes on their own. To the great relief of the NZ government, there was no tsunami, but now that the ridiculous ineptitude of those employed in civil service has been exposed, we are the laughing stock of the South Pacific. The situation could only get worse if the prime minister accidentally shot someone in the butt on a hunting trip this weekend--the start of duck hunting season. In that case, we would finally be humiliated worse than the Americans.
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Buying a Car in NZ, Sat Apr 29, 2006
I found a car! But then the jerks went back on our deal after they found someone else to pay only $150 more. It's an '89 Nissan Bluebird with about 280,000 km. Whew! But a lot of backpacker cars are like that, and I was get for only $500 NZD. That's ridiculous; a working car for under $300 US. The plan was to take it to the mechanic tomorrow to get it checked, then hand over the money. Of course, being an American with a sense of business integrity, I respected our verbal contract. But they, being dirty Belgians, have no such convictions, and betrayed a business agreement that was even honored by a toast and round of beers! I will never trust a European again.
Buying a car to travel NZ in is a very popular transportation option here. A warning: petrol cause are on the rise, and it is getting less economical to drive yourself. (More tips on how to ease fuel costs in a bit.) The problem lies in when and where to purchase a car, what to look for, and how much to pay. I've seen a lot of articles on the web about getting cars in NZ, but I will attempt to lay out what I think is the best way based on my experience and advice from locals and other travellers.
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Hostel life -- watch out for the bananas!, Thu Apr 27, 2006
I've been staying in hostels over here for weeks, but realized I haven't said much of anything about what life is like for backpackers living in them. Yes, living in them. Some stay for weeks while they work and try to find a flat (apartment). Can you imagine sharing a room with 3 other people for weeks on end? You have no privacy to change your clothes, scratch your butt, or even fart without someone else noticing. I never realized how nice it was to rip one without looking over my shoulder to see who might be listening.
But overall its pretty fun. You get to meet travellers from all over the world and hear stories about getting arrested in Cambodia and bargaining with the police over their bribe for NOT throwing you in jail. If you're lucky (or good-looking, not like me), you find someone to travel with for a while. This is not only cheaper, but something about having at least a temporary partner in a foreign land eases the psyche, though I've been largely on my own.
This is definitely a hedonistic, non-productive lifestyle: backpackers who stay for months to work in one place spend every extra cent on travel and alcohol. But I guess you are only young once, right?
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www.christianperez.info, Wed Apr 26, 2006
In case you didn't catch my bro's comment, you can get this site by using the URL www.christianperez.info. Thanks Tony!
I made it to Christchurch a few days ago. I took the much touted TranzAlpine train that crosses the Southern Alps over Arthur's Pass, but the train was 2 hours late and it was raining and cloudy. So I spent almost $100 and didn't get to see the scenery which is supposedly what makes the trip worthwile.
As soon as I checked in to the hostel, there was this couple there trying to sell their car. They waited for someone else to show up, then showed this '88 4WD wagon (Mitsubishi, I think.) They had to sell it that night, so instead of asking $1500, they got offered $500 from the other guy!! I was going to buy it for $600 NZD (that's less than $400 US), but I couldn't get enough money from the ATM. Otherwise, I would have a perfectly good working wagon I could sleep in.