31.12.2017: New Year's Eve in Christchurch

We reserved our last shared accommodation from Germany. We treat ourselves to a spacious double room with private bath and garden terrace in the New Brighton district, just 10 minutes from the sea. The fact that you can easily find parking spaces along the street shows how far we are from the city center. But we already know that.

After check-in, we drive to the 300 m long New Brighton Pier, which can currently not be walked to the tip due to construction work. Then Eric goes to the beach one last time to breathe in the sea air while a warm sea breeze caresses his face.

And because I forgot to bring a cable to connect the camera to the phone and always had to use Eric's phone to transfer photos, we also stop by the Warehouse. A store that makes Eric's eyes light up, because as expensive as personal care products and some food are, products for cars and technical equipment are cheap in a store where it seems to have everything - from shovels to televisions, camping equipment, bathroom and kitchen accessories, clothes to groceries. A true paradise. I buy the aforementioned cable for 5 NZD, which is less than 3 €. The other adapters and charging cables for iPhone & Co. cost between 2.50 and 5.00 NZD. A real bargain.

We checked the tire pressure of the car one more time, which was unexpectedly low on one tire, and then back to the hotel. We have already pre-cut the salad and dessert for our New Year's Eve dinner due to the extremely narrow kitchen. The only thing missing are the mussels. Eric is in charge of that, because I like to eat green-lipped mussels, but I can't kill them. After a short time, the meal is served and it is a feast for both the eyes and the palate!

Since we are not really in the mood for the hustle and bustle in Hagley Park and the search for parking in the city center is sure to be nerve-wracking, we decide to enjoy the fireworks from a distance and at the same time see Christchurch from above at night. At 11:15 p.m., we gather with a bit of reluctance (because we are already slightly tired), get into the car and start driving. The goal is the Port Hills, about 10 km away from Christchurch city center. In search of a good vantage point, we initially drive aimlessly through the area, follow other vehicles, make sure to only drive uphill, and find a spot 10 minutes before the New Year's change. It's drizzling a bit, but it's not cold. And then it's already there, the new year - Happy New Year everybody! The view of the city is great, but unsuitable for watching the fireworks; we are too far away. We can catch a glimpse of tiny flashing dots over Christchurch, but no sound reaches us. Well, it was nice up here in a small circle anyway.