I spy something beginning with 'K'

I arrived in New Zealand yesterday afternoon. I must say that Air New Zealand had better rethink its portion sizes for the inflight catering- they appeared to have only put half of my sandwich on the tray! And a mere quarter of the cake. Not good enough!

Haven't really seen much of the country yet- decided to give myself the day off yesterday so just got the shuttle bus to the hostel (Charlie B's) and then bought my Magic Bus ticket which will whisk me around the South Island, over to the North and up to Auckland and no doubt try and sell me lots of extras on the way. But the Magic Bus comes recommended from several people that I have met on the way and there is a 20% sale on at the moment because it is winter and sale prices are my favourite kind.

Apparantely it is winter anyway. People had got me so worried about the weather here that I was expecting my ears to have fallen off by the time I reached the Arrival Hall due to frostbite. But, in fact, it was a balmly 18 degrees here in Christchurch yesterday. Got some great views over Sydney from the plane (and maybe let myself take another couple of photos of the Opera House) and then fantasticly amazing views of snow covered mountains in New Zealand.

The tourist information centre at the airport booked my accommodation for me- even after I bugged them asking when I would get to see a kiwi. Last night I booked my bus ticket and then just chilled out for the rest of the night- blaming jetlag, we are two hours ahead of Sydney here after all. I called my sister and had a good long chat then went back to the hostel and watched telly.

Today I strolled into the City centre- it looks a lot like home apart from the numerous Korean restaurants everywhere- and not a single one of them sells dak galbi, dammit! I watched some ducks cross the road and some people punting down the river. Called my brother only to have the Cathedral bells interrupt the call. It is seriously civilised here.

After speaking to my brother for a while, I got off the phone and turned around only to see a sign that said 'live kiwi here'- not one to miss some live kiwi action off I went. Sure enough, I was escorted into a room and allowed to watch a couple of North Island Browns running around (yes, I didn't know that there were different makes of kiwi either). They are very cute if a little pampered- no talking in the room, no phones, no grabbing one and yelling 'I have a kiwi' while asking people to take a photo of you- very fussy indeed. Not like the hardy Aussie animals which they encourage you to get photographed with. But cute anyway.

I am also sporting a brand new pair of walking boots- or tramping boots as they seem to be known here, or at least in the shop I went to. I love shoe shopping and get girlie about it even if the end result is a macho pair of supportive walking boots. I need something to cheer me up after the loss of my sandals in Surfers after all. But after a couple of weeks of wearing shoes that I can feel every bit of grit through the sole of, I feel a little disconnected from the world. But happy with having some new footwear.

Sweet as!