From Greymouth to Christchurch to Auckland!

Since my last post I've done quite a bit of traveling in quite a limited amount of time.  So, yesterday morning I woke up at 9a to pack all of my things up, then checked out of the best hostel ever.  This hostel is obviously the best because Steve was just like, "yeah you can put your bags in the lounge and hang out or just take a walk.  Just make sure you're back here at 1230 and we'll drive you to the train station."  Seeing as I had bought a week's worth of internet from IAC (the provider that is YHA's and the best hostel ever's provider), I hung around in the lounge and did some stuff online that needed doing.  Once 1230p rolled around, I headed outside to wait for Steve and Charlie to get ready; as soon as I stepped outside, I realized that it was POURING rain (well, not really pouring), which I definitely wasn't expecting.  So, on my coat went, and then it was time to load up my bags and go to the station.  Once there, Steve pointed me in the right direction and I thanked him for everything, then I went and checked my bags and waited for the train.  After about an hour of waiting, I boarded the train, and off we went.  The TranzScenic rail on the specific line I was traveling on is, apparently, one of the most beautiful train rides in the world.  It really was beautiful, and we passed through fields, mountains, hills, rivers-- everything, and it was incredibly beautiful.  The snow-capped mountains and the cow-dotted fields were incredible, as were the ghost towns and ex-railway boom towns that we passed.  After a 20 minute ride through a tunnel we came to Arthur's Pass, then started our descent to the other side of the Alps.  This side was mostly farm land and brownish fields (in parts), and felt quite familiar to me, as my family and I traveled through country like this on our way down to Christchurch.  Anyway, the closer we got to Christchurch, the darker it became; by the time we arrived, night had fallen.  Once there, I hopped on a $5 shuttle to X Base, at which point I met up with Gemma.  After talking for a while, we headed out to eat and ended up at an Indian food restaurant, which was quite yummy ( :  After dinner we headed back to Base, figured out the bus situation to the airport for me, then we watched my skydiving video.  We were about to watch the bungy video when we realized that is was 838p and the bus would be leaving the stop in two minutes, yikes!  So we ran down the stairs, got my bags, and started our run across Cathedral Square to the bus stop.  Luckily, I got to the bus right as it had shut its doors, and was able to get on the bus, thanks to the nice bus driver.  After a bunch of goodbyes, a hug, and $7, I was off on my way to CHC.  I arrived at the airport with plenty of time to spare, thankfully, checked in, checked my luggage, then checked through security and sat at my gate until it was time to board.  My flight was pretty good, a bit ghetto fabulous, considering I was flying Jet Star (only $39!), and albeit the complete BRAT that sat behind me and kicked my seat and yelled in my face the entire time, mostly peaceful.  hah.  I switched seats a few times to avoid the kid, but I swear, she was on me like the plague, and the worst part-- THE MOM DIDN'T DO ANYTHING!!  I hate bad parents, I mean, keep your kids in check, man.  Anyway, I was starting to doze off when we started to make our descent, so I stayed up.  After landing, getting my luggage, and finding the shuttle I was booked with, I was headed towards Auckland.  The driver kinda messed up my dropoff and I ended up being the last off the shuttle, even though we had already passed the city, but he was really sorry about it and helped me right to the door of the YHA- City.  A really nice guy was working the front desk of the YHA at 120a, and was helpful in opening the door and checking me in and everything.  Anyway, I got to my room, made my bed, got ready for bed, and hopped in for some much needed sleep.

The next day my roommates got up early, but I tried to sleep in.  Finally, thinking it was probably around 1p, I woke up, only to find out it was like, 1040a.  What a rip off!  After hanging out on the internet for awhile talking to Mom and Dad, I headed out to have a walk around downtown Auckland.  I walked down to the harbour, checked out some souvenir shops, and stumbled on an AWESOME (by NZ standards) music shop called "Real Groovy," where I spent waaaaaaaaaaaay too much money, but oh well, I've been deprived.  I bought re-arrange us by Mates of State, Puzzles like you by Mojave 3, Fur and Gold by Bat for Lashes, March of the Zapotec and realpeople Holland by Beirut, and Oracular Spectacular by MGMT.  After that I headed back to the YHA, skyped Ean, talked with my roommates, then went out to find something to eat.  I ended eating at the self-acclaimed best Turkish place in all of Auckland, haha, which was actually pretty good, but definitely wasn't the best souvlaki I've had before (Christchurch, you win).  Anyway, now I've mostly been hanging out at the hostel, and am going to go to bed soon.  Tomorrow is my last full day in New Zealand, I can't believe it!  It's crazy, and definitely a bit depressing, but I'm ready to come home.  I love you all.