Tuesday, January 27

Disapointment.

For my one free day in New Zealand, I had planned to take the Trans-Alpine train over the mountains to the west coast and back. It leaves daily at 8:15 am and returns about 7pm.

http://railnewzealand.com/Tranzalpine.html

I had no New Zealand cash, and couldn't get any last night at the airport, so I got up at 6:00, showered, called a cab to be at our B&B by 7, because it is about 15 min. cab ride to the train station, and you are supposed to be on board by 7:45, and I still had to figure out how to buy a ticket, where to go, etc. I could pay the train fare with plastic, but needed cash for food in the dining car along the way, and I needed some for the cab both ways anyway. I walked about 3 blocks to a corner where there are 3 different ATMs, stuck my card in, and the machine ate it. No message about anything, or any menus, just ate my card. There was an 800 number on the machine. So, I rushed back to the B&B, called and they said they could only cancel my card if it was of the bank of the ATM (Bank of New Zealand), and that I would have to call my own card company to cancel. Further, they were not sure if the bank would have access to the ATM to retrieve cards when it opened at 9. They were not sure if it was a different company or service that did that at this location.

By the time all this had happened, it was too late to walk 15 min. to the bus station (in the opposite direction of the train terminal) to catch a bus to the train station in time to buy a ticket and get on board (without any cash). And, I was nervous about what to do about my card. If they couldn't get it to me today, I would probably have to make an international call to get it canceled somehow, which I should probably do sooner instead of later. So, I canceled my day trip. I was really looking forward to it. I would have traveled through some of the locations used for scenes in the Lord of the Rings movies.

Instead, I had breakfast, did a little reading, and headed to the bank at 9. They had my card, along with about a dozen others, and the ATM machine now had an "out of order" sign on it. If I'd chosen either of the other 2 machines about a half-block further away, I'd be on a train right now.

That is the reason I'm able to make blog entries today. I'll probably take a nap after about only 4 hrs. sleep last night, and maybe try to find a touristy thing or two to do this afternoon. I start traveling back to the U.S. tomorrow. At least I saved about $150.00 U.S.

Ziggy took a bus this morning to go about half-way up the mountains and stay at a trampers lodge, and tramp (hike) around for a day and a night and a day. He's then coming back to Christchurch for a day and then heading down to the south part of the island to do the same for a few days before heading home. It is supposed to be very remote and beutiful, with glaciers and black sand beaches.