Alarm went off at 6 am. We were waiting on the front porch by reservations at 7:30 but the bus was at the hostel reservation location. Oops! The bus was filled already and looking for us Lightning drove up slowly, hopped off the bus, added our backpacks under the bus and one of the girls moved over so Bill and I could sit together. Onward to Christchurch from where we started the Kiwi Tour. Along the way we picked up 5 more people.
We were only going to be on the bus for 4 hours so halfway through we stopped in Geraldine were I got a chai tea and Bill and I shared a scone. From that point on no stops and just Lightning telling us about each town we are driving through. At 12 we are dropped off at Hotel Give. The bus drivers/tour guides were wonderful! Although we saw older tours, I’m glad we went with the younger crowd. It pushed us to do more things out of our comfort zone! Kiwi Experience and their staff will get a glowing review from us!
Once unloaded and bags in hand we decided to eat our chicken and vegetable stuffed leftover pitas from last night on the picnic table. Bill bought us some drinks from the cafe so we were set! We had 3 hours to kill before our plane to Wellington. Across the street from the hotel was a quilt expo. Curious I went over and checked it out. A wall of some pretty quilts but small. But the rest was just material and kits.
I went back across the street to see a bride and her father, and 2 bridesmaids waiting to be picked up for the wedding. Meanwhile another bus load of people were getting on the Kiwi Experience to start their journey.
Bill called Uber and 9 minutes later we were in the car and headed to the airport. We walked right in, got our boarding passes and waited for our plane to arrive. One door says 1-10 and the other says 11-20. You walk out in the tarmac and climb the stairs! 45 minutes later we landed in Wellington greeted by our host! Gertrude drove us to the hotel and gave us an hour to freshen up. She came back and took us to Lulu’s for dinner. We had a family style meal. Wood roasted edamame, sour dough bread, pork shank, coconut wild rice and a salad made of seaweed, bok choy, mung bean, spring onion and toasted sesame seeds. It was all delicious. After dinner we had ice cream for dessert. This time I had mango, Bill had chocolate, and Gertrude had a combo. We walked to the water and had our official picture at the Wellington sign – we put the “I” in Wellington! After a travel day of bus, Uber and airplane we are officially calling it a night!
You’ve certainly experienced many full days of adventure. (Perhaps, you should sleep in each morning for a week when you return home.) I can’t believe how the days have flown by and you’re basically in the final week-plus. My Uncle Phil and Aunt Geri were great travelers, and I’m sure my aunt would be thrilled to find a town named after her! Enjoy the north island!
On to the next part of your adventure! Lucky you were saved by Lightning and the bus. Your dinner in Wellington sounds delicious. Of course, you had ice cream for dessert! It seems that you have had ice cream every day in New Zealand. Enjoy the North and its ice cream.