Picked up the rental car at the airport, a nice little Toyota Corolla, which just fits the two suitcases in the trunk. The tour company was organized and had a package of brochures and a nice map book waiting for us. An easy drive into Christchurch business centre, fairly quiet for a Sunday morning. Stopped at a supermarket for our self catering breakfast supplies and of course some beer for this evening.
Tried out the free satnav app I downloaded for my iPad, seemed to do the job, it got us there without any wrong turns.
We parked the car and went in the I-Site visitor centre where they gave me a free SIM card for my phone and the girl kindly set it up for me so we are in business. We then went next door to the Christchurch Museum and had a look around and a spot of lunch. Next up we walked to Cathedral Square where the cathedral is fenced off after the spire collapsed during the earthquake in 2011. Last I read, they hadn't decided whether to rebuild or demolish it. The centre is pretty sad, lots of fenced off or boarded up buildings, or empty lots, it is going to be a while before it is a vibrant city again. We checked in to the hotel about 2 and they upgraded us from a Studio apartment to a one bedroom apartment. It has everything we need - fridge, dishwasher, microwave, washer/dryer combo. Had a lay down for a couple of hours but sleep didn't come, hopefully it will tonight as we are both feeling weary. There aren't many restaurants open near the hotel so we found a Chinese place quite near so that did us for dinner. I think it will be an early night tonight and tomorrow we set off on our tour of the South Island.
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