Christchurch, here we come!

[skyring]

I've finally started to get moving on my bookings for Christchurch.

Discoverylover has performed marvels of management, arranging a party to make a road trip from Wellington to Christchurch, getting us there with a day or two to spare to partake in the pre-convention activities.

Easter Sunday. I fly in.
Monday. Discoverylover guides me around Te Papa, which is one of the world's great museums.
Tuesday. Party assembles and takes the ferry to Picton, where I've booked a couple of cars. We drive down to Hanmer Springs and dive into the hot tubs, relaxing with chilled champagne.
Wednesday. We drive back up the coast to Kaikoura, take the whale-watching tour, sperm whales etc, then drive down to Christchurch arriving on dusk.
Thursday. There's the Tranz-Alpine train journey across to the West Coast, one of the world's great train rides.
Friday. I'll probably be a taxi for the day, collecting arrivals from the airport. Meet'n'greet in the evening.
Saturday. Full-on conventioneering.
Sunday. Say goodbye.
Monday. Maybe I'll stay on for an extra day. There's always a winding-down meal on the Sunday, and on Monday a leisurely trip back instead of rushing to the airport on Sunday arvo.

Kerri's not coming this time. I think she finds the enthusiasm of BookCrossers en masse a bit too much to deal with for several days at a time.

But I can't think of a better place and a better bunch.

Comments

I am SO excited!

[discoverylover.livejournal.com]

I booked my flight out for monday afternoon, figuring if anyone was around we could do something in the morning or whatever...ok I just know I won't want it to be over :(

Re: I am SO excited!

[skyring.livejournal.com]

Same here. I might change my departure to Monday. I'm always partial to a relaxed convention - usually we have a dinner some place. In Charleston we went to this over the top ribs place, loaded down with sauces and fat and huge portion sizes and hokey.

Christchurch, I dunno, maybe they do fish and chips?

[awaywithfairy1.livejournal.com]

Thanks for reminding me about the tranz-alpine train. I arrive in Christchurch on Wednesday and am considering going on the train trip on Thursday.

Re: I am SO excited!

[futurecatnz.livejournal.com]

We've already got a few thoughts about dinner on Sunday night, but fush and chups would be traditional, I suppose...

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[wombles.livejournal.com]

My flight leaves Monday afternoon too.
I won't be there for the transalpine but I hope to do the gondola and the wildlife cruise.
Sorry to hear Kerri won't be there.
Food hmm I'd like some ambrosia, whitebait and kumara chips, a hangi, manuka honey and some fejoias. Maybe not all at once though :)

[lizmopuddy.livejournal.com]

Thanks for this. We might accidentally "bump" into you guys somewhere along the route ;-)

[rarsberry.livejournal.com]

I wouldn't mind joining you when you go up the gondala, its something I want to do here in Chch.
I would be happy to make some ambrosia for you!! Mmmmmmmmm, ambrosia. :o)

[holmesfan.livejournal.com]

I'm going down Wednesday and thinking about the train trip. I'm also returning Monday - I think! Alas, the I-ticket that I booked some weeks ago is currently buried in my inaccessible frozen up Outlook Express files. I'm hoping that somewhere in the bowels of H.O.T booking service the booking record will still be there.
No gondola for me though. Much too much of a wusss.