Early morning, we took a 4-hour coach ride to Greymouth - popular for its jade. While waiting for the lost passport of a Japanese couple to arrive at Franz Josep where we were waiting, sis and I used a coin-operated toilet. Once a 50 cents coin has been inserted, its door will open. Inside the toilet, it stated that door will open after 10 minutes. I wonder what will happen if one is still not ready after 10 minutes due to stomach upset. Exposure, exposure, exposure.

We stopped at Hokitika for lunch at a restaurant with one of the largest collections of teapots. Again eggs and hams, and fish and chips.

The Tranz Alpine train which we took departed from Greymouth promptly at 1.45pm, travelling the width of South Island to reach Christchurch at 5.59pm.

A stop was made at Arthur's Pass at 737 metres above sea level, halfway through 4-hour ride noted as one of the world's ten greatest train journeys.

It set off in bright sunlight to rainy weather across the canterbury plains before we reached Christchurch, which was colder at 8 degrees celsius than the second day we were there.

From our hotel, we walked along the Colombo Street to have dinner at Riverside Buffet Restaurant, above Oxford on Avon, before shopping for gifts.

Similarly, sis attended to work while I brought mum to Christchurch Casino by bus. The casino is much bigger than the one in Dunedin.