Beyond the story competition

We were traveling on the final leg of an amazing South Island holiday and we were counting all the exciting things we had done. Just then we drove into a terrible snow blizzard. “Gosh this holiday has been a thrill, it couldn’t be more exciting could it?” Dad said. Little did we know how wrong he could be.

At the hotel room I was so tired after a long holiday I could barely stand up. I rest my head on my soft, sweet smelling hotel room pillow. I just can't wait for my dreams to come as I fall into a deep sleep before a big trip home tomorrow. As the night went on the still air started to turn.

CRASH! BOOM! BANG! I wake up to my burning side rubbing across the carpet; I look up only to see the blurry figure of my mum. Screaming and booming taking over my ear drums; my legs wobbling like jelly as they sway with the room. My frantic mum organising my brother and me to get safe under the doorway, while dad saving himself running to the other doorway. Still not knowing what’s going on I make my way over to the doorway and hold on for dear life. My eyes so dark. Not being able to see a thing as all power is out. Dad’s phone beeping as his Twitter is going off like crazy. Smashing glasses crumbling on the ground. My heart beating out of my chest. I didn't know if the shaking was going to stop, didn’t seem like it.

Finally, as the shaking calmed down, we stepped out of our hotel room and it was frantic. Everyone literally shaken. As we all approached the main hall the small shakes come on and off every couple of minutes. It was frightening! Tourists madly panicking not knowing what’s happening, one of the last experiences I was hoping for.

The hotel we stayed at was very helpful by supplying us all with a free BBQ breakfast, but even the staff were freaked out by the aftershocks. Every so often there is a BIG aftershock and the screaming starts again. My brother Malakae gets up for his breakfast when a big shock comes. As the water is out, my Dad and I go around collecting water to help, but at 5:30 in the morning with no power which means very little light, we have to wait for the sun which hasn't quite made it's way over the hills.

At the airport it's manic. I've never been to an airport as busy and crowded as this. People just wanting to get out of Christchurch, including me. As I sit waiting in the airport with the shaking, shaking my seat I look through the glass door waiting to get off this shaken up town, wondering if it will ever happen.