Casualty on the trip (but made it to Christchurch)

Finally had a casualty today. No, Flat Stanley is fine, but my little Nikon Coolpix, that has been taking so many amazing photos all trip, got squashed. Or got sand in it. Or something that made the lens not able to move in and out, therefore it can't take photos and therefore is dead. Being in one of the most scenic countries ever, I was a bit freaked out!

But I hit the road early, and stopped in Nelson where I found the downtown area and a Kodak shop. Yay! Got a new point-and-shoot (not my first choice camera, I think, but it will definitely do). It even had a bit of charge in it, so I was able to take some photos!

Here's downtown Nelson (my hero!):


Just to prove that the weather isn't all gorgeous and summer-like all the time. Here's the view by Nelson. You might have seen my other photos of this area from 2 days earlier, with mountains in the background. They're back there somewhere.



And then I dropped off the car and loaded up on to the Transcoastal train for a nice ride down the northeast coast of the south island. I don't have too many photos. But it basically was hills with lots of vinyards, or sheep and cows, and for a bunch of the trip a grey ocean on the left side. :)





Anyway, very tired now, but in my hostel in Christchurch. Some nice girls in my room, and I'm hoping to sleep late (couldn't manage that this morning). My shoulders are sore from kayaking and I have a really large bruise near my left elbow. I wouldn't have even seen it if I hadn't looked in the mirror while brushing my hair!

And that's about it for today. I'm right next to the church in downtown, and I should have a little walking time in the morning before I fly to Queenstown.

Church Tower:


But for now, sleep!