New Zealand Day 5: Canterbury

Woke up around 830, showered packed up our stuff for the most part and walked a quarter mike to our car rental location--Lucky. Cars were 18usa$/day. Cheapest car rental per my usual searches was 50usa$/day. So knowing we were going to be getting an older rundown car was okay. Got to the car rental place, reviewed the insurance policies--original one booked was $10/day with a 1000$ deductible. Plus 1$/day to add a second driver. Or for 15$/day we could have 0 deductible .... which we ended up choosing and good thing we did. Time was 945 and we had to be checked out of our hotel by 10, so I left matt to collect the car and I packed everything up and out of our room... that was tricky with the 4 grocery bags 2 packs 2 rollarboards and 2 purses. Anyway, got it down in one trip and checked out by 1001 to avoid extra charges. Meanwhile matt was still waiting for the car to be brought around. Finally about a half hour later it was brought around. Not a typical car we are used to renting. No power anything. Damage all over the car and 333,000 km on it. If this car gets us around the entire South Island without issues we will be happy. Anyway-- since we selected the 0 deductible plan the agent didn't even go over the damage as we can essentially crash the car and walk away without paying a dime. Matt drove to the hotel and we put the stuff in the trunk. As we couldn't figure out to lock the car.... you have to use the key on the outside of the car and manually lock it-- it prevents the keys from being locked inside!

We walked around the block to pick up coffee and eggs on toast for 10$.... but we're behind a big order so luckily we stepped outside and noticed a subway! Subway brekke is usually cheap and filling. Matt ordered a footling eggs and ham sandwich and a coffee for 10nz$ (about 7.50usa). Done. Super good. While he waited to order I went to the grocery store and picked up some water (1$/1.5l at the grocery store vs 4$ at the gas station). Met matt back at the subway and ate brekke. Packed up the car and drove around the block the ther way to the Antarctic center-- center which brings you to the Antarctic without setting foot on an expedition. 50$ per person to enter by it was pretty cool. They had a snow room complete with an Antarctic winter storm where winds are created to dust up to 30mph and the temp is maintained about 17f. The windchill during the storm dropped to -1f..... I'm pretty sure our walk to the lightrail last week when we left was colder than that but anyway-- for the kiwis it was pretty exhilarating. We then got to hop a ride in a hagglund-- the all terrain vehicles created for Antarctica driving. We went through an obstacle course up 40* inclines and declines, over a 3ft gap, 30* sideways pitch and through water and logs and over a tire track. It was pretty neat to see all the different things the vehicle could do. Then we headed back inside and saw a few little blue penguins, read through other exhibits and then into the 4d movie experience "ice voyage". The seats moved and there were wind and water spurts that made you feel like you where there. We also had 3D glasses on. It was pretty neat, almost like the voyage we did. Then at 145 we left and started our drive. (After stopping back at the car rental about our cars at not working -- thy don't have to fix it so they aren't going to).

Drove an hour and a half out to the peninsula town of akaroa. Stopped at a cheese factory and sampled some Gouda and Edam cheeses. Bought a couple. Made up pb and jelly sandwiches for lunch. Cars engine had a hard time starting but alas we Made it to town. Walked the harbor. Got some pretty pictures. Then took the tourist road back-- the high road offering pull offs of beautiful scenery. Puts banff to shame. Then 2 hours later we were back on the main road with our sites on Timaru, a southern town known for some little blue penguins and at the mouth of the highway to mount cook and lake takupo. Found an b&b for 70$ a night. With 2 hours Togo, we pulled over and andrea drove as Matt's head cold was getting the best of him. Trying to stay between the lines and actually being able to see with the mirrors on the right side of the car is surreal. Made it to our bnb only to drive a little too quickly into re curb as I was trying to turn around. Oh well 0 deductible... hopefully no flat tire as if it's our fault we pay. Oh well. Unloaded our stuff and it was about 815 and per Ginny our host most restaurants close at 9pm as it's a "sleepy town" but the penguins Come to nest around 9-11pm. Found a pizza shop ordered Togo and walked the mile to the beach.. no penguins. Enjoyed our pizza, walked back as matt neeeed to sleep and I drove the car back to the beach. Quite a turnout but only 2 penguins were spotted. Returned to the bnb and fell asleep pretty easy. Next day: mount cook and oamaru (hundreds of penguins).