New Zealand
Trip Start
Dec 18, 2008
1
9
12
Trip End
Jan 09, 2009
Where I stayed
Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand
Sunday, January 4, 2009
We arrived on the heels of torrential rains and it was quite a change of pace to be in chilly, overcast weather after the heat of the Outback and the Rainforest.
Christchurch is a lovely, quaint town filled with beautiful brick and stone buildings. The center of town is Cathedral Square which boasts a lovely stone church. But it is very quiet here. Stores were pretty much closed down by 4 pm. There are 2 universities here, but the students are on still on holiday which leaves the town pretty calm.
We walked over to Cathedral Square and then traipsed to a great local bar and restaurant called Dux de Lux. Great seafood in a cozy setting. Then, since it stays light til almost 10 pm here, and the shops were all closed, we took a very long stroll through the botanical gardens. It is a huge park with many beautiful jogging paths, an amazing rose garden and some wonderful sculptures. There is a huge tibetan bell in the center of the gardens called the Peace Bell which we rang ...especially praying for peace in the middle east (what with the bombing from Gaza into Israel and israel's return fire).
We are staying in wonderful, huge suites at the Chateau Blanc and were thrilled to have laundry facilities. We now have all fresh and clean clothes for the last week of our trip.
Today, Sunday, we had a liesurely morning and the other gals and I left the hotel to roam the local "flea market" stalls at the Arts Center. Fabulous booths manned by local artisans displaying their goods. Wonderful jewelry, clothing, soaps and hand creams, hand carved wooden bowls, wool hats, scarves, sweaters (this is the land of Merino wool after all). It was great fun to browse and shop.
Then the group travelled to a local spot known as Mona Vale. Once a huge private estate and gardens nestled along the romantic and charming Avon River, the grounds are now a public garden and the original estate has been converted into a beautiful restaurant. We had a fabulous lunch and stroll, then hopped onto our coach for a trip through the hills for a look at Christchurch from the mountains. And down the other side of the hills we saw Lyttelton Bay and then drove on to the beautiful beach town of Sumner. The mountain ridge was a result of volcanic eruptions where two titanic plates converge. So the beach at Sumner borders an area of huge volcanic rocks and caves. Beautiful homes line the cliffsides leading up from the ocean. Just breathtaking. It is a cozy beachtown with great local eateries and coffee shops and ice cream stands. We walked the beach and examined one of the caves, and then back to Christchurch for the afternoon.
We did a little more shopping in the local shops and grabbed a bite to eat. Then Gary and I took a few minutes to stop into the Casino of Christcurch (yes, it is really called that) and played a little roulette. No big win I am afraid, but we had to try :-).
Tomorrow we start our drive inland, through the mountains and over to Fairlie where we will visit the sheep farms and stay overnight with a local family. Looking forward to that.
Love to everyone...and keep praying for peace.
