Bank Holiday Madness.

Finally free and rested we were all ready for our big adventure to begin. After acquiring camping equipment and the eternally sexy Nissan Sunny rental we headed out of Christchurch and towards Akaroa on the East Coast. We started up the car and turned on the sat-nav. Little did we know as we headed blindly out of the city that said sat-nav was keen on "alternative" routes. Clambering up a multitude of slopes in second gear the poor car was struggling but the scenery was amazing. We stopped at one of the copious amounts of Lookouts just to gawp before continuing on the pretty hairy road to the coast. It was only later that we discovered the sat-nav had failed to inform us of the 'Christchurch to Akaroa' state highway and instead directed us up SUMMIT ROAD.

Nevermind though as we arrived in the very scenic town of Akaroa with all its french charm. Excited to make the most of our 6 days of travelling we were raring to fit in as many activities as possible only to be met with a Bank Holiday. (And on a Wednesday?) Unlike the UK, New Zealand appears to just close down on bank holidays so we resorted to wandering around the pretty town taking pictures of the various 'heritage sites' including the harbour, a lighthouse and various cemeteries...