At Christchurch, we met up with friends who not only helped to show us around but also got some "essentials" for us. New Zealand, like Australia is very strict with regards to the food/beverages that you can bring into their country. I think it has got something to do with them being a (largely) agricultural country. So they are very weary of visitors bringing in any germs or harmful diseases (through food stuffs) that can harm their main industry. As a result, we did not bring any rice, instant noodles or canned food from Singapore. So our friends in nz got them for us instead. Yum!

Christchurch is a beautiful city with many gothic-like buildings. The most famous building/structure/monument is the Christ Church Cathedral:

Sorry, no more photos of the chuch. Photos are allowed inside, but I think you need to buy a photo pass (which I obviously didn't)

The Christ Church Cathedral is situated in Cathedral Square. And in the square itself, there are actually people playing chess with a giant chess set.

My favourite. I can't remembered what it's called though :S

GLOUCESTER! WHAT ART THOU DOING HERE? Haha, anyway, nz is heavily influenced by the British. It's like another Britain.

Trams. Not really in used. Remained as a tourist attraction.





Arts Centre. Very gorgeous place with old buildings (see below). That house like thing with steps leading beyond? It's not an illusion. It's held up by very fine wires that you can't see from the picture. Very cool(:

Arts Centre. What did I say about the architecture? Simply amazing(: Oh, they also had a Sunday Market outdoors featuring local arts and crafts. Luckily we were able to catch it as we were there on a Sunday. I saw a print that I absolutely love but I decided against getting it because it being the first day of our holiday, I thought I'll have ample opportunities to find others. However, after this day, I didn't see any art that was worth getting! I still kick myself for not getting the print):


We also went to the Botanic Gardens (nearby). Now, we aren't exactly "plant" people. But the Botanic Gardens was quite worth it. Plus we went in Summer where the flowers were all in bloom(:


The Botanic Gardens also had a rose garden. And I'm not sure if you can see it, but this rose is called "Lest We Forget Sexy Rexy" :D
Only noob Santas use ladders.

This plant looks really ordinary and boring. But do you know what it's called? RHODODENDRON! Aren't rhodos suppose to be flowers? There weren't any flowers in sight though. And no, don't start reciting Hughes' poem.

New Brighton Beach

Someone did this below the bridge (you can vaguely see from the photo above) Amazing! Armed with nothing but a broom like thingy, he created this huge huge design on the sand. People were watching from the bridge and tossing coins below. I must say though, it was extremely cold. I don't know how he can stand staying in the cold for so long. But I guess, the exercise keeps him warm(:

Can you see a figure at the top of the photo? Use that to gauge the size of this design. Totally cool.

So thats all for Christchurch (for now). We were in Christchurch for about 3 days. We missed the Christchurch Gondola (cable car) and I was pretty bummed about it. But it turns out that there are many other gondolas in other cities (that we took) Also, we didn't go to the Banks Peninsula.

Also, if you are so inclined, check out my Flickr set. All my nz photos will be posted there.

Our first destination in New Zealand was the city of Christchurch. However, our accomodation at Mount Hutt Lodge was not in the city itself, but an hour's drive away. Mount Hutt itself is famous for its ski slopes, but we didn't get to do any skiing because it was summer when we were there. Even though, it was summer, the weather was chilly and the wind there is really strong. I must say that we were all badly prepared for the cold weather.

Anyway...

Labels: newzealand, travel

26 April 2007