We left Hanmer Springs in sunshine and blue skies. The forecast was calling for some clouds and cooler weather later in the day but we had a lovely start.
We also had lots of grazing areas.
We soon learned that a pass was not quite like we experience it. It is a way through the mountains, but it doesn’t necessarily mean you have a big climb to the summit.
We arrived in Christchurch just after noon. We had discussed options of what to do and one was a gondola ride to the top of the “mountain” to the south of the city. We headed there but upon further discussion, decided it wasn’t worth paying about $35 each to go up. It wasn’t very high and looking at our map, we could drive some roads that would take us close to the summit.
Arriving back into the main part of Christchurch, we filled with fuel, picked up a couple of groceries and then headed to check in to our motel for the night. It was the first we filled the tank more than half and cost us about $80 CND. In New Zealand, the cars we’ve rented have used 91 octane which sells between $ 2.35 and over $ 2.70/ litre. In Canadian prices, that would be between $ 1.95 and $ 2.25/litre. Also, diesel is significantly cheaper. We’ve seen it as low as $ 1.35 CND. We’re thankful to have had hybrid vehicles which have given us an economy of about 5 l/100 km.
Tomorrow we leave the east coast for a while and head west.
Following Joyce & Paul's Travels in Retirement 