Thursday, March 15: Christchurch - Cass

I finally left Christchurch - Hurray!!
Zion's friend, Arik, arrived from Israel aroud 12:30. We picked him up from the airport, but unfortunately had to go back to town to reserve the Milford Sound track, which is a 4 day track and is supposed to be one of the nicest in the world. Anyway, lucky enough I managed to get a spot on the last day of availability for the season - April 20.

So we left town around 16:30 heading towards Arthur's Pass. That's driving on the alpine road from east to west. The idea was to drive the whole thing (~3 hours). Fortunately, when we stopped for gas, we talk to some guy who suggested we do some attractions along the way. Fortunately again, some girl named Beecky had her car break down and needed a lift, which was arranged in return for lodgings at a place called Cass, which is about 20km west of Springfield on Road 73. The place was simply Amazing! There are two huts that belong to the university, and there were 4 girls and two guys who were doing some sort of eccological research there. We had one hut for ourselves, which was fully equiped: Fireplace, kitchen, 20+ bunk beds, laundry, dry room, bathrooms, and beautiful view to the mountains which had just received their first snow yesterday! (I guess it was well worth having bad weather).

Staying at Cass is simply great, no questions about. Good thing that Beecky's car broke down..