We have arrived (finally)!

Hi! We have finally arrived in Christchurch after a mission of a journey both of us won't forget in a hurry! Everything seemed to be going smoothly (perhaps too smoothly...) until we got to Auckland where we had a tight transfer time for our flight to Christchurch. Standing at passport control we realised we were going to be extremely lucky to make it.. and then all hope evaporated when Biosecurity deemed our walking boots "too dirty" and confiscated them from us! (well just for 10 mins while they detoxed with all sorts of chemicals!) Anyway we reached the domestic terminal (very hot and sweaty as we were still dressed for the English winter) to hear our names on the loud speakers..well in short we had missed our flight. However we smiled sweetly and made all sorts of excuses to a nice kiwi lady at "ticket sales" and miraculously we were soon on the next flight to Christchurch just 30 mins later than planned!
On arrival in Christchurch, we checked out our 6 bed dorm in our first hostel (we haven't met our roomies yet...) and headed straight for tourist info to sort out our Kiwi Experience bus pass. After being given a number to ring and buying a NZ sim card, we rang the main office and to our relief they have managed to put us on a bus leaving Christchurch on Friday! Thank goodness...as there is not tonnes to do here, having exhausted the botanical gardens already...The town is very pretty though and there are loads of other travellers here our age doing similar things which is fun. (We have already made some friends!) Oh and whilst treating ourselves to a foot-long subway, we were persuaded to join a tour to Hamner Springs tomorrow, including the possibility of going Jet Boating which we are assured is good value by Jimmy. (the tour leader!)