Christchurch to Sydney

January 31, 2009

Washed everything and packed it up for the flight to Australia. Spent the morning at a small but phenomenal organic market in Lyttleton, which the deepwater port for Christchurch. They carved a long tunnel under the hills to get there so everyone could avoid the steep ascent and descent over the hill separating the two. We did both just to cover all the bases. Toured around a bit with Bruce and Carolynn and the Beast – as we have fondly named the 4x4 they had loaned us for our travels.

Finally said good-bye at the larger then expected Christchurch airport and flew four hours to Sydney. Went with Air New Zealand and was really impressed (again) by everything – the plane and the crew were amazing and the drinks were still free. They make Westjet look shoddy (which is hard to do) and there is absolutely no comparison to the crap that Air Canada offers.

Surprised at how lax security was at the airport through. Lana had a big stainless steel water jug (empty of course) on the outside of her carry on but no one even glanced at it.

Landed in Australia and took a shuttle to the Maze backpackers hostel (previously know as the CB private hotel) right in the heart of Sydney. We had stayed there before (23 years ago) and I was of the opinion that time could only have improved the place.

It is amazing to me (but not I assume to the readers) how wrong I can be on occasion. The CB Private Hotel was one of those times.