Day 109: Driving from Marahau to Christchurch

Saturday, March 18

I woke up around 7:30 and couldn't go back to bed, so I decided to take a quick shower. That was probably something I should have done last night but I was too tired. When I got back, Sam and Lauren were up so we ate and packed.

We left Old MacDonald's around 10, and quickly stopped at the cafe just down the road on our way out of town. Non-hiking days mean I can drink coffee!

After getting a quick snack to go with my coffee, we started driving back to Christchurch, listening to Malala of course. We stopped in Murchison to get gas. The other recommendation Logan had given us the other night was that Murchison had amazing nachos. Sam and I refueled the car and Lauren went on a mission to find the nachos.

She went to a different place than we expected because the first place she stopped only had meat-covered nachos. I'm glad she did because these were delicious and had all kinds of yummy veggies.

We all took a turn driving and on our way into Christchurch we made sure to stop at the mall with the Macpac before they closed for the day. Sam needed a new hiking pole.

They were out of the trekking pole style I had bought for myself a few days before, so Sam got one with a super secret selfie stick attachment hidden in the handle. It was the cheapest option, and you never know when you might need a selfie stick.

There was a Pak 'n Save in the mall, so we grabbed any extra snacks we'd want for the TA section we'd start tomorrow. After that we drove to the hostel to drop off our stuff and dropped off the rental car.

On our walk back, we stopped at the botanical gardens and went to Pegasus for dinner. The food was so good the first time, it had to be great the second time. I got fish and chips again, but I got a different fish and got it crumbed. It was delicious. I'm really going to miss all the good fish and chips in New Zealand.

After a filling dinner we went to the YHA to pack our food and backpacks. A few hours later we were tired and ready for bed. We had an early bus ride to Arthur's Pass in the morning. We'd start the TA from there.

I didn't do a great job taking photos today. This was my first photo of the day...the best beer packaging I've seen in New Zealand. It was at Pak 'n Save.  

Lauren and Sam walk down the street close to the car rental place. 

Lauren and Sam strut their stuff in Christchurch.  

A tree lit in the botanical gardens.