Johnny waiting at Auckland Airport.
Dad has been taking the kids off on adventures one by one. Isabella went down to Taupo with Dad and spent a day with her grandparents there, Thomas went down to Gisborne and spent a day visiting the logging crews in Mangatu Forest with Dad. Unfortunately, there are no pictures of the first two adventures.
For Adventure No. 3, Dad and Johnny flew down to Christchurch to see what we could get up to........
Johnny waiting at Auckland Airport.
The first thing to do when you arrive is phone home and
explain everything........
We spotted this place just up the road from where we picked up our rental car.
Lining up for a big putt.
An interesting historic place at Lyttelton Harbour (website here).
Lounging at the top of the castle on the hill.
We went on a harbour cruise at Lyttelton to look at the
wildlife run by
the Black Cat Group (website
here).
Johnny waiting, his boat, the "Black Cat", in the background.
Heading out of the harbour.
The Hectors Dolphins, of which we saw heaps and heaps....
We shot up the Christchurch Gondola (website
here). I
would have liked to
have had dinner at the restaurant up there but Johnny looked at the menu and
decided that it wasn't good enough....
In the gondola on the way up.
We went on a jet boat trip on the Waimakariri River just
north of Christchurch.
This trip is run by Adventure Canterbury (website
here).
Johnny kitted up and ready to go.
Looks like he's enjoying it....
Next we went out to the airport for a helicopter ride with
Garden City Helicopters
(website here).
Johnny practising at the controls of the Westpac Rescue
Helicopter.
On the flight over Christchurch. We went over the city
to Lyttelton and back.
Took a visit to the Air Force Museum at the Wigram base (website here).
At the controls of one of the flight simulators there.
An interesting place to visit in Christchurch (wesite
here). Johnny
had fun at
the FX2 exhibits making movies of himself.
Johnny's videos will go here...
Just north of Christchurch (website here)
Johnny and his friend the Turtle.
Johnny's friend the Kea, hard to spot and making a getaway
too.
All good things.....
Johnny enjoying a light snack at the Koru lounge in
Christchurch on the way back.
Conversation between Johnny and Dad on the flight home to Auckland;
Johnny: You know Dad, some people say that "Being there is everything" - but, I don't think that's true.
Dad: Is that right Johnny?
Johnny: Yes, actually, I think the most important thing is getting back home alive....