Christchurch

I have arrived safely in Christchurch, NZ (which I believe is the biggest city on the south island). It was a 2 hour drive from Kaikoura this morning. We're treating ourselves to a real luxury... 2 nights in an indoor hostel with beds! (What kind of backwards world am I living in when I consider a hostel to be a luxury?!) They only had 2 beds left, in separate rooms. I will be spending the night with the company of 3 smelly men. Whatever, beats the tent!

All guidebooks recommend booking tours, accommodation, etc. well in advance in the summer season (Dec-Feb). This is the height of tourist season and the Kiwis are traveling too because the kids are on school vacation. I shouldn't be surprised, but I've learned that "booking ahead" in NZ means - let us know when you get here. To date, we have not booked a single hostel or campsite in advance. You just pull up in your car and say, "can we stay here tonight?" I've recently observed/overheard the following things:

• "Can I book a golf reservation for 3 people in 15 minutes?"
• "Can I book 7 people for a wine tasting in about 5 minutes?"
• A sign in a visitors' center - "It is essential to book ahead in the summer. Tours are already booked until mid-January." Since it already IS mid-January, I assume this means tours are available tomorrow.

My main mission tomorrow is to buy a flashlight for the next camping days. The first one burned out in 2 nights, and the 2nd one never worked to begin with. Kiwi crap. The lack of light has been putting me to bed very early.