A Surprising East Coast Drive

Day 17
We are greeted to some nice weather today and it’s a visit down to the main part of Christchurch - we stop in at the River Markets for some breakfast and are treated to a delicious array of choice. The markets are a mixture of produce and Eateries and it has a buzz about it as a growing number of people arrive - the popular take away coffee places have queues outside their doors and the food places are busy making and serving food we were lucky to snare a table and all enjoyed the fare - with a stroll through the neighbouring arcades and onto the main mall with plenty of tourist lining up for the tram ride

around the city. Christchurch is a contrasting city with the Earthquake of 2011 and so much destruction, the city is in reconstruction mode - with shinning new buildings along side some of the older structures that survived including the Christchurch Cathedral which was in near ruin and is in the process of a major restoration costing billions. There is lovey parklands along side the river and the whole feel is relaxed.
We leave Christchurch and head for Blenhiem driving up State highway 1 which is the main north south route and the drive is picturesque, albeit the road is winding and narrow in stages and reminds of the roads around Australia before the duel carriage motorways they take some concentration and time to travel. The views out to the South Pacific are beautiful with the ranges coming right down to the waters edge and the road is shadowed with the rail line which at times runs through tunnels and meets up with us around the next mountain bend - the coastline drive is long and winding and the outlook and views are quite stunning with the black pebble

beaches and the turquoise crystal clear waters - it matches any of the coastal drives I have experienced in Australia.
We stop into Kaikoura for lunch, this is a beautiful coastal holiday town with the mountain range looming and running right down to the ocean - with lunch done we proceed north and with the ranges right on the water the drive hugs the ocean winding along the coast, there is some delays along the way with work crews repairing rock slips which damaged the road and it’s bridges all part of the journey.
We finally approach the hills outside Blenhiem which is a very windy and steep pass, we site a car at the bottom of the valley which must have missed the turn and this part of the journey is driven with care and respect.
With the long drive done we all head out to the local pub for a lovely dinner and our journey continues.