Day 37: Christchurch to ???: City + Cashmere Hills

This morning the 2 asians and I were dropped off in Christchurch. The other 2 volunteers had a transfercar they had to pick up, and I was picking up my rental car for the month.

Whats transfercar? In New Zealand there are a lot of rental cars that often end up in another city. One way to get a free ride through New Zealand is through transfercar, where rental companies offer the car for a day or two for FREE so they can bring the rental car back to their original destination.

As much as I wouldve loved to use transfercar, for me renting a car gave me me more freedom to go wherever I wanted. I think transfercar used in conjunction with other ways of transportation (bus, hitch hiking, and ride sharing) would have been the most cost effective way of travelling in new zealand.

After picking up my rental car I hung out with the first friend I made in New Zealand! She lived nearby so we went around town and cashmere hills to see Christchurch in a day. 

In 2011 Christchurch was hit with an earthquake that destroyed buildings and homes. Even now a lot of the city is still in ruins, and rainstorms cause problems with flooding in the city, but as the city is being rebuilt, the city gains new character. An example is the re:Start container mall, where stores are opened in shipping containers.

After going around Christchurch for the day I went off to drive south.

It was already getting dark and for some reason I was set on leaving Christchurch that night so I didnt book a hostel because I didnt even know where I was headed. That night was the first night I slept in my car...

Most places dont allow freedom camping overnigt but after driving a bit I eventually found a rest area where overnight parking was allowed.

There are a few things Ive learned today.
- nights are cold
- at least plan a day in advance (I should have known this already)
- sleeping in a car is uncomfortable

Transfer car (wayyyyyy better than my crappy rental)

Being driven by an asian who isnt used to driving big cars, and isnt used to driving on the left side of the road... 

Re:start shipping container mall

White chair display to commemorate those who died in the earthquake.

Cardboard Cathedral

Christchurch Cathedral

Cashmere Hills

here are some awesome songs I got from my kiwi homie from Rangiora:

Rudimental- free

Rudimental- right here

Damian Marley and skrillex- Make it Bun Dem

Block B- Nillili Mambo

Day 36: Arthurs Pass National Park: Arthurs Pass

The last activity while I was volunteering at the hazelnut farm was tramping in Arthurs Pass. We all got a second chance riding in the helicopter to the national park.

While in the national park we went through Devils Punchbowl track, and Arthurs Pass track. After all the hiking I ve done here I realized how blessed I am to be healthy and fit enough to be able to get through these tracks and to see the things Ive seen. With all the stairs, inclines, and rugged pathways I felt that even though my shoulder is messed up Im glad I still have working legs (although my knees do take a beating).

As much as I liked the routine and comfort of working in the farm, I was ready to continue my adventure and head out on my own again.

Helicoptaah

French, me, and the badass kiwi

I guess helicopters can park anywhere

Falls from the devils punchbowl track

Arthurs pass track

Mountain stream. The first time I drank from a stream.

A long walk ahead of us

The farm from the heli

-mike

Day 29- 35: Hidden Oaks: Ready to Move On

By this point, 2 volunteers have moved on to start travelling again. They only stayed one week. 2 new volunteers arrived to replace them.

During this week, I was starting to feel antsy about moving on to travel again. Routine is great, but the work was repetitive. By this point, I knew breakfast and lunch is always the same (cereal, toast, sandwiches). I even started to get used to the TV schedule... Masterchef on Sundays and Mondays, Rugby on Fridays.

I expected to leave in the middle of the week but I decided to stay a few extra days for the last activity.

Day 28: Canterbury: Mt Sunday

Today is activity day!

For this post I'll let the pictures explain everything.
We went to Mt Sunday (Rohan/Edoras from Lord of the Rings). There is usually a tour group that passes by mid day, so we got to borrow some props... for free.
This is why I chose to volunteer at this hazelnut farm.

Helicopter ride!

one of the many pictures I took from the helicopter ride

me, american, bad ass kiwi

bad ass kiwi

On the way to Mt. Sunday

The space between those mountains was where Helms Deep was filmed

On top of Mt. Sunday with a sword of Rohan

Geeking out with Aragorn's sword

Gimli's Axe, Aragorn's Sword, Sword of Rohan

VOLUNTEERS!

Panorama from the top of Mt Sunday

Top of Mt Sunday

Playing with Panorama

Mt. Sunday, Edoras from below

Mt Sunday

Cheers,

Mike

Day 23-27: Hidden Oaks: Work

After the activity we have another week of work.

On day 23 we got to see the processing that happens in the factory. The hazelnuts are cracked open and roasted for different things (hazelnut butter, chocolate hazelnuts, roasted hazelnuts..mmm).

During this week since I wasnt meeting anyone new, I made it a point to get to know the other volunteers.

The couple volunteering with us came to New Zealand to learn english and travel long term. Since they were 30 this would be their last chance to do a work holiday visa. They quit their jobs to be able to be in New Zealand.

It made me think about a few things...

- Would you quit your job to travel?
- Would you travel long term with your significant other?
- Would you travel long term in a country with a language you dont know?