March 28, 2008...3:07 am
Christchurch
Our Christchurch trip began at 4:15 Sunday morning, as we left Tauranga for Auckland International Airport. We cut things a little tighter than we planned, and ended up doing an Amazing-Race-Inspired sprint (with backpacks and all) through the international terminal to the domestic one 20 minutes before our flight left (we did manage to make it on the plane thankfully).
The flight was a short one, and we were quickly landing on New Zealand’s South Island on a rainy morning. We met up with some friends for lunch, and were fortunate to have a car loaned by them for the four days we were there. We took an 80km drive out to the only french settlement in the country: Akaroa (once called the Riviera of Canterbury). It’s a quaint small village, and we found a backpacker lodge to spend the night.
Monday morning we got an early start, and drove up to a farm hostel in the hills where we met up with a travel guide, who took us ocean kayaking. Upon setting off from the shore a multitude of dolphins joined us. When I paddled quickly 4-5 would catch up and swim alongside, jumping and diving under me - both Becky and I count this as one of the most incredible experiences we’ve had in this country.
Even though it would be easy to enjoy the quiet and serenity of the outer Canterbury region, we wanted to take some time to enjoy the city. We covered most of the touristy activities - riding the tram around town, going up to the top of Christchurch Cathedral and looking out at the city, visiting museums, and walking through the famous botanic gardens (which unlike Victoria are free!)
Christchurch is unique - as you’ll notice in the photos, the old buildings and the tram are framed by the river Avon, which winds through the city. As Margaret commented to me earlier, it’s like a small piece of Europe in the South Pacific.
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