Craig and Linda’s travel diary, 7 Feb – 13 Feb, 2010.

Christchurch

Sun 7/2: We went mountain biking around Mclean’s Island — a big mountain bike trail outside of Christchurch, New Zealand. Bike hire for one hour for 2 people was NZ$30, and we had a great time with family and family friends.

Mon 8/2: We spent most of today locked up in Kaiapoi working! Lots to try and get sorted in the next week.

To Dunedin

Tues 9/2: Met with Steven at HotelSo this morning; we’re recording the Christchurch City guide there on Friday and organised a tweet-up in the bar. We took Anne’s car and drove down to Dunedin. It might be the most boring drive in the South Island, but it’s still stunning. We spent the evening with Katherine, Ben and Ezra at Elm Lodge, Dunedin Backpackers; came back from dinner early for a few Skype calls and a recording.

Wed 10/2: We’ve been looking for a jacket for Linda; trailed around all the outdoors stores in Dunedin. No luck — everything is too expensive and/or too heavy. After lunch at the India Garden ($10 thali!), Katherine drove us along the coast to Aramoana. Strange little township with interesting houses and amazing views across the harbour entrance towards the Gannet Colony.

And back to Christchurch again

Thurs 11/2: We wanted an early start, but ended up having a lazy morning, hanging out with Katherine and Ezra instead. At their recommendation, stopped at Moeraki township on the way north and had a coffee at Fleur’s Place. This might be my new favourite secret spot. We had a seal come up to play in the water and sun itself on the rocks right beneath our feet; stunning!

Fri 12/2: Now we’re back in Christchurch and we spent the morning working, before heading into town after lunch. Saw the Wizard in Cathedral square, Linda got caught up in some juggling busker’s show and we both wondered at the topless chick walking around. Raising awareness for breast cancer? Awareness for word one in any case.

Headed into HotelSo for recording, then a tweet-up with:
Us (@craig_martin / @lindajmartin / @indietravel)
Ian and Wendy – @ianandwendy
Eileen – @bearshapedspher
Nomadic Matt – @nomadicmatt
Liz – @kiwiwriter
Heather – @kiwitravwriter
Gold – @unifex
@hotelso and a few friends not on Twitter.

Followed that up with Dad and Anne: dinner on the Strip — great food at a place called Viscosity or something similar — then a few more drinks at Fat Eddies in Soul Square. Scribe — a local rapper — was there with a small film crew.

13/2: I wandered around nine holes of golf with Dad, then hit the malls that Christchurch is famous for with everyone. Linda found a new jacket at a the Kathmandu outlet store then we headed back to watch the opening of the Olympic Games in Vancouver. Wish we could have made it.

---

This article was written by Craig Martin

Podcaster and writer Craig Martin has been living on the road since leaving Auckland, New Zealand in February 2006. With a degree in Media Studies and English plus a penchant for Coleridge, he's still travelling. Craig podcasts at the Indie Travel Podcast and has penned several travel books for Indie Travel Media Ltd.