I think that we were both happy at the fact that we got a chance to sleep in this morning. Our 1st activity was originally scheduled for 12pm but due to some lite rain last night and the wind they pushed it back to 12:45pm. First up for today is an activity called Blokart Land-sailing. I did this back in February for the 1st time when I went to Bonaire and I really enjoyed it as it was something different. When I saw that Christchurch also offered it I definitely was up for doing it again and it was something that I think my mom wouldn’t mind doing either.

We woke up with enough time where we were able to sit down and have breakfast which included half of a butter chicken pie, a piece of lemon cake and I had a matcha. In Auckland I went in a Japanese store and ended up getting 2 6 pack boxes of instant matcha because it was buy one get one free. Today was the first time I tried this matcha and the first time I’ve ever had matcha hot (I usually have it as a frappe) and oh was it good (so good you just add water and the pack and you’re set). Now I wish I’d gotten more.

We ordered an Uber there but it wasn’t far just an 8 minute ride away. When we arrived we seemed to be the first ones there and weren’t sure if there’s be anyone joining us. Two other couples, one old and one young ended up joining as well. We signed in and were given gloves and a helmet to wear. It’s a good thing everyone had their own shades (they’d provide them if you didn’t) because the track can be windy (which by the way is the whole purpose of land-sailing-the wind fuels the sail).

You all should’ve seen my mom’s reaction when I was trying to explain to her how it works and the fact that there are no brakes in the kart or accelerator. You go slow by loosening the rope attached to the sail and go faster by pulling the rope towards you all while steering (steering is important). It’s not as complicated as it sounds and once you’re inside and go around a couple of times you get used to how everything operates.

We watched a safety and how to video before we were led over to the map which outlined the course/direction in which we were to take today. Afterwards, we were taken over to our designated kart. Ian and his staff were great in assisting us in the karts and getting us strapped in. They would be our photographers and videographers while we were out on the course (there’s no way you yourself can do it while steering and driving essentially). One by one one of the staff members helped push us out on the course and away we went.

It took me a couple of times to get used to it again but once I knew which corners I needed to tighten up at and when to let loose I was rolling around that course. I looked around for my mom and eventually found her and even caught up with her side by side a few times. I was glad she was getting the hang of it and everyone looked as though they were having fun. So much fun that at one point I’m going around a corner to turn and bam! Another girl in a kart slammed right into me on my left side from behind causing us both to stop (she made a wrong turn though she was supposed go around me on the right side as Ian explained to her).

Ian came over and helped seperate us while laughing asking her, “There are only 4 of you out here how did you end up crashing into her with all this space?” She claimed she thought I was going to take the next turn but I’d literally been making the same turn since I began the course so ok girl, you thought wrong. I myself ended up going through the grass (we are not supposed to do that) but it was because I was trying to avoid crashing into the older couple because we were both turning at the same time and they weren’t leaving me enough space or clearance to get through so I just took a shortcut.

At one point I looked for my mom and she had decided to stop along with the older couple. The younger couple and myself stayed on the track a bit longer until the end. To stop they told us to fully loosen the sail and just go straight and due to the way in which we were facing we were able to do that. They assisted in pushing us over to the side where we were able to completely stop. Before everyone left I wanted to get a group picture of everyone that participated and we said our goodbyes.

Ian did a nice gesture for us by dropping us off down by the Brighton Beach area where there were different restaurants and cafes as we’d worked up an appetite. Ironically he said the homes by the beach were less expensive than the homes by the airport which I thought was interesting. I believe he said it was because when the area was hit with the earthquake that area was really affected and it took awhile for them to rebuild (and there are still parts that are unoccupied). Nevertheless, he said the people in the area still have a strong sense of community.

We thanked him and wondered around a few different stores. I got some fried gurnard fish, chips and lotto tickets and my mom bought some books and chips. We realized we didn’t have much time as we needed to get to our 2nd activity which was the Christchurch Chair Lift before it closed at 5pm. Went went to the nearby Brighton Library right off of the pier to call an Uber. After snapping a few photos of the pier and the water which is the Pegasus Bay which leads to the Indian Ocean we hopped in and headed to Adventure Park.

Christchurch Adventure Park has quite a few things going on from biking, hiking trails, ziplining and the chair lift. We ushered ourself up to the chairlift area after dropping off our grocery bag at the cafe and we were up up and away. Here they have lifts for people to sit in as well as lifts to put just your bikes on. As we sat and looked ahead and to the side of us the views were beautiful. There were times where the lift had a bit of a bump to it and I clinched my phone the entire time because if it fell it would be a long and hard fall.

It was a nice ride to the top and once there we got a chance to look down on the city. What a wonder it was! With those views we could see Lyttelton Harbour as well as the Pacific Ocean. It was a nice day to be up there but it was a bit windy with some cool air. We walked around taking in the great sites while snapping numerous photos and videos. There were some seating areas a little too close to the edge for comfort so we sat in some of the safe area seats which were away from the edge.

We got a chance to see bikers at the top begin their quest down and they were going really fast and hitting the curves like professionals. Hikers were taking advantage of some of the trails as well as sightseeing while others began their ziplining journey. Before they closed we made sure to hop on a lift to get back down and though once down it looked as though the lift wanted to take my mom back up as everytime she got up she was scooped back into the seat about 2-3 times to the point they had to slow it down so she could fully get off (lol).

We decided to grab a bite to eat at the cafe that was there because we were really hungry by now. We had honey mustard wings, korean bbq ribs, fries, a beer (my mom) and a cider (me). Let me tell you those ribs were so good. Neither my mom nor I eat ribs a lot but as soon as we bit into them the meat just fell in your mouth and the sauce…by far some of the best ribs I’ve ever ordered and easily has been placed in top 3 meals here so far (now the chicken I wasn’t a fan of). After enjoying our lunch we grabbed an Uber and headed for our Airbnb.

Back at the house I scratched off my lotto tickets I came close to winning on a couple but no winning tickets this time. We indulged in some chocolate caramels and we discussed the day and looked at some videos and pictures. As the evening ends we took time to relax (my mom read and I am typing up today’s post). We’ll probably have a late lite dinner seeing as though we ate not to long ago and tomorrow is our free day so who knows what we’ll get into (although we have a bit of an idea). That’s all for today but keep up with us because there are more activities and adventures on the way.