Day 8: Wellington to Christchurch

Today, I had to wake up at 5:30 and then bags to coach was at 6:40, with breakfast at 6:45. We got on the bus at 7:30 and drove to the ferry we'd be taking to the South Island. The ferry ride took 3 & 1/2 hours, so I was worried that I would get sick on it. It turned out to be really smooth, though, and I didn't feel sick at all. A bunch of us sat in a room with really uncomfortable chairs and fell asleep. Then, during the last hour of the ferry ride, Lisa and I went to get food (I had a ham and cheese sandwich) and found a recliner lounge that had really comfortable chairs to sleep in. Why didn't we find those before we slept in the uncomfortable ones?!?! During the drive today, we stopped at a seal colony and got pictures even though it was raining. 

When we finally got to the hotel in Christchurch, it was still raining. Lisa was supposed to pick the restaurant for dinner because it was her last night of the tour, but no one wanted to walk somewhere in the rain, so we just ate at the hotel restaurant. I had some really good potato and bacon soup. This is when we met Mo (who would be joining the tour in the morning) because he recognized Louise's name on the rooming list and came and found us. He had already eaten, but he sat at the table with us while we ate. It was funny when Louise introduced him to everyone and introduced Ketan as Captain, as if that were his real name.

Jessie, Kay-Marie, Lisa, and I all ended up in different rooms tonight. Lisa had no choice because she had a voucher thing since her tour was supposed to be over, and she ended up with Catherine and Yvette. I was rooming with Jo, Louise, and Crystal because I got to the rooming list before Jessie and Kay-Marie. They had gotten to room together every time, so I didn't feel bad about stealing the good room with our friends. I think Jessie roomed with Erin and Steph, and Kay-Marie was with the twins and Esra. But apparently this was the one night where none of the party people really partied, so I would have been fine no matter what room I had. It was still nice getting to hang out with Jo, Louise, and Crystal, though. I finally got to meet the washerwoman. <.<