Christchurch
Another &*%$%$# beautiful city!
Really, NZ has more than its share of beautiful cities and we loved it here too.
Early European settlers built "the most English city outside Engand" on the Canterbury Plains and named it Christchurch.
We strolled through Hagley Park, which is a sprawling central park where avenues f huge trees, shrubs and flowers meander alongside the Avon River. Tree shaded paths lead to a large fountain close to which is the museum. Amongst other things, inside the museum is the "Christchurch Street" display, a replica of a Victorian Street complete with authentic shops crammed full of fantastic period pieces. Interesting and fun to look at, and be gratful how much easier life is today than it was then.
We had a glass of wine at the Art Gallery, which is a seriesof crescent shaped buildings of variousheights and curvatures, all in clear glass. Stunning. There was a small outdoor patio where we sat in the reflection of the glass and sipped our wine, resting our aching feet and watching people go by. It was brilliant.
Then on to wander through more of the downtown and to the huge Cathedral Square dominated, naturally, by the cathedral. There's an enormous sculptureof what looks like an ice cream cone. It's silver metal on the outside and blue inside, carved into flowers so you can see it. I think your ice cream would leak.
We strolled through the Botanic Gardens. Christchurt's reputation as the Garden City is obvious The large majestic trees and sweeping lawns provide a perfect backdrop to colourfl seasonal flowers. In fact, the weeping willows along theAvon River come from cuttings taken in 1848 from Napoleon's grave on St. Helen's Island.
The river with its willow fronds gracefully sweeping the water looked so lovely we hired a punter to take us on a little tour. Ducks glided around us on the crystalline water. Here, at least, they didn't have to run over the water in a panic to escape the jet boat bearing down on them at 85 kph like they had to in Queenstown.
We asked our boatman what was the most stupid question he was ever asked. "Does this river go in a circle?" was his immediate reply.
It was a gorgeous sunny day, and lunch was on the patio of a charming old stone cottage where we had our favourite meal: the antipasta platter, called a tapas platter here. Alas, this one came with a whack of calamari so Hans didn't get his fair share of the other foods cause he had to eat all the squid.
Now, the trip's nearly over. We had mostly perfect weather, just a bit of rain and that mostly when we were in the car.
Got a few mozzie bites, but hey, they're better than frostbite!
Really, NZ has more than its share of beautiful cities and we loved it here too.
Early European settlers built "the most English city outside Engand" on the Canterbury Plains and named it Christchurch.
We strolled through Hagley Park, which is a sprawling central park where avenues f huge trees, shrubs and flowers meander alongside the Avon River. Tree shaded paths lead to a large fountain close to which is the museum. Amongst other things, inside the museum is the "Christchurch Street" display, a replica of a Victorian Street complete with authentic shops crammed full of fantastic period pieces. Interesting and fun to look at, and be gratful how much easier life is today than it was then.
We had a glass of wine at the Art Gallery, which is a seriesof crescent shaped buildings of variousheights and curvatures, all in clear glass. Stunning. There was a small outdoor patio where we sat in the reflection of the glass and sipped our wine, resting our aching feet and watching people go by. It was brilliant.
Then on to wander through more of the downtown and to the huge Cathedral Square dominated, naturally, by the cathedral. There's an enormous sculptureof what looks like an ice cream cone. It's silver metal on the outside and blue inside, carved into flowers so you can see it. I think your ice cream would leak.
We strolled through the Botanic Gardens. Christchurt's reputation as the Garden City is obvious The large majestic trees and sweeping lawns provide a perfect backdrop to colourfl seasonal flowers. In fact, the weeping willows along theAvon River come from cuttings taken in 1848 from Napoleon's grave on St. Helen's Island.
The river with its willow fronds gracefully sweeping the water looked so lovely we hired a punter to take us on a little tour. Ducks glided around us on the crystalline water. Here, at least, they didn't have to run over the water in a panic to escape the jet boat bearing down on them at 85 kph like they had to in Queenstown.
We asked our boatman what was the most stupid question he was ever asked. "Does this river go in a circle?" was his immediate reply.
It was a gorgeous sunny day, and lunch was on the patio of a charming old stone cottage where we had our favourite meal: the antipasta platter, called a tapas platter here. Alas, this one came with a whack of calamari so Hans didn't get his fair share of the other foods cause he had to eat all the squid.
Now, the trip's nearly over. We had mostly perfect weather, just a bit of rain and that mostly when we were in the car.
Got a few mozzie bites, but hey, they're better than frostbite!
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