My 4th stop on the trip is New Zeeland. There my plan is to do a winter hike with start and finish in Christchurch. Since I wanted to make sure that I could get a good cheap hotel, close to the hiking tour pick-up place, I booked it already in November 2010.
Then the big earthquake hit Christchurch in February 2011 - A terrible catastrophe that killed nearly hundred people and destroyed a big part of the city. I understood that it might affect my trip, but I didn’t want to bother the hotel with any questions. I waited for them to get in touch with me.
After 2 months with no messages, I decided to get in touch with them anyway. I sent them an e-mail – it bounced. The recipient “didn’t exist”. I looked for their web site – it was gone. I was redirected to another hotel, without any information about “my” hotel. I got very confused and sent an e-mail to the company that arranges my hiking. They told me that “my” hotel was in the closed part of the city and didn’t operate. I do understand they are in a difficult position, but isn’t it strange that they didn’t put up any information about this on their web – just removed it?? And that they didn’t cancel all the bookings?? So I have a confirmed booking on a hotel that doesn’t exist. And the only reason that I know this is because I tried to get in touch with them. What about all the people with bookings that still think they are valid.
Anyhow – the hiking company has now booked me on another hotel for double the price. Not a lot I can do. I guess I have to cut back on some shopping….
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