The gruelling journey from New Zealand to Australia.

Well, i left the Catlins yesterday afternoon at 3pm - after another gourmet lunch made by Levi the chef. The bus that collected me is actually part of a tour, so we proceeded to view sea lions, yellow eyed penguin (one of) apparently there are only 4000 in the world mostly round NZ, not sure where they were - out and about no doubt. The tour was nice and i eventually arrived in Dunedin round 7.30pm - the bus to Christchurch which was an overnight job called "Night Rider" was to arrive an hour later. Luckily for me the waiting place was Countdown the shopping centre, so bought a few odds and ends, pushing my great weight backpack around in my trolley quite happy. Was just leaving the shopping area to go to the bus stop when my trolley got attacked by an empty joghurt cup - it clung to the wheel of the trolley, thereby ensuring that i couldnt move, so i had to put the bloody rucksuck on my back - that was the start. The knight rider bus which stopped a zillion times en route and some of the pleasant passengers were farters, and not missing out on the 3 teenagers giggling non stop for at least an hour - i had to put my ear plugs in, all i needed now was nose plugs and an eye mask and i would be set. Well eventually after no sleep due to gaseous inhalation - we arrive at the airport, 3.10am - and its freezing, probably below freezing, oh the airport only opens at 3.30pm - right! things are just getting better. Well we got in via the domestic terminal so that wasnt too bad. For check in of course i chose the dimmest ground stewardess - who immediately proceeded to tell me my bag was 3kg's over and i had to pay an extra $30 and thats not all, from Christchurch airport you also have to pay an extra $25 exit tax - well as i havnt slept you can imagine i was absolutely charming, especially when Absa was down and i couldnt use my credit or debit card - so eventually i zipped off the top bag and didnt pay the $30 after all, but there was no getting away from the $25. The flight unbeknowns to me was a paid menu option - the fun just didnt stop - well at least i got a couple of hours sleep. I am now safely in my hostel, single room tonight and then dorm room tomorrow - YA BLOODY HOOO!!!!! Actually its not all bad, went to see the Sydney opera house and Harbour bridge and The Rocks, and i have to say - SYDNEY is really cool. Its got a nice vibe and is really a larger more interesting version of Cape Tpwn!!