Christchurch, South Island, NZ27th - 29th Apr 2007
After an awesome time in the beautiful queenstown i was next onto new zealands very own 'garden city'..christchurch. i didnt really know much about chch apart from the rugby team the crusaders that came from here.. i heard it would be very green but also wet and cold. i wasnt proved wrong!
the scenic flight over the southern alps took me an hour away to the east coast, it was an evening flight so couldnt really do alot once i arrived aprt from hit the hay.
i managed to get conned into getting an expensive shuttle from the airport to my hotel so that was a good start!
my first full day on the saturday had one word for it..wet. it didnt stop all day, confiding me to the bare minimum. i went in search of the indoor go-karting raceway but the directions i was given by the locals didnt serve very helpful.. so to finish the day off i headed out to the bars to sink a few drinks. to be fair this little city here in the south island has got it going on when it comes to nights out, found some great places and they were all full of people having a good time. the good thing is theres alot within walking distance.
on my second full day it was jam-packed...
International Antarctic Centre:
on sunday there was no time for hang-overs as i had booked 'the big 5'!!
an early-ish bus pick up from the hotel took our organised tour firstly to the international antarctic centre, it was pretty impressive and i had no idea of christchurch's importance to the programme. there was plenty in there to see, and alot to learn about earths coldest continent.
Willowbank Wildlife Reserve:
second on the tour was this nice little reserve that housed pretty much all kinds of animals, my favourites would have to be the deer, they were really cheeky trying to snatch food out of peoples hands, also the monkies, lama's and otters etc, all types were here even wallaby's!
Wildlife Harbour Cruise:
next we were taken to the port area of Littleton, its the third largest in nz.from there we boarded our ferry and headed out into sea for two hours, passing by the busy port, the volcanic surroundings (even the bed of water we were on is a piece of volcano which slid away), we headed out into the pacific ocean in search of the hector dolphins, but unfortunately they didn't want to come out to play today,so many were lift slightly disappointed not seeing these amazing creatures. but still the cruise was lovely
Gondola Ride:
coming close to the end of the day we headed onto the gondolas, which take you right up to the top of a mountain overlooking the city of christchurch and even further with breathtaking 360degree views. there was a ride up there too where u learnt a bit about the history and how canterbury(the province which christchurch is in) was formed all the millions of years ago, basically all volcanic.
Tram Ride:
just as dusk started to set in it was onto the final part of the 'big 5' tour, an old fashioned tram ride around the city of chch, with commentary of all the key places/landmarks which we passed on the way around.
well today, sunday, had alot of things crammed into it. not alot of time inbetween but a day very much worth it. first impressions of christchurch were soon replaced with good ones after this fine day.
the scenic flight over the southern alps took me an hour away to the east coast, it was an evening flight so couldnt really do alot once i arrived aprt from hit the hay.
i managed to get conned into getting an expensive shuttle from the airport to my hotel so that was a good start!
my first full day on the saturday had one word for it..wet. it didnt stop all day, confiding me to the bare minimum. i went in search of the indoor go-karting raceway but the directions i was given by the locals didnt serve very helpful.. so to finish the day off i headed out to the bars to sink a few drinks. to be fair this little city here in the south island has got it going on when it comes to nights out, found some great places and they were all full of people having a good time. the good thing is theres alot within walking distance.
on my second full day it was jam-packed...
International Antarctic Centre:
on sunday there was no time for hang-overs as i had booked 'the big 5'!!
an early-ish bus pick up from the hotel took our organised tour firstly to the international antarctic centre, it was pretty impressive and i had no idea of christchurch's importance to the programme. there was plenty in there to see, and alot to learn about earths coldest continent.
Willowbank Wildlife Reserve:
second on the tour was this nice little reserve that housed pretty much all kinds of animals, my favourites would have to be the deer, they were really cheeky trying to snatch food out of peoples hands, also the monkies, lama's and otters etc, all types were here even wallaby's!
Wildlife Harbour Cruise:
next we were taken to the port area of Littleton, its the third largest in nz.from there we boarded our ferry and headed out into sea for two hours, passing by the busy port, the volcanic surroundings (even the bed of water we were on is a piece of volcano which slid away), we headed out into the pacific ocean in search of the hector dolphins, but unfortunately they didn't want to come out to play today,so many were lift slightly disappointed not seeing these amazing creatures. but still the cruise was lovely
Gondola Ride:
coming close to the end of the day we headed onto the gondolas, which take you right up to the top of a mountain overlooking the city of christchurch and even further with breathtaking 360degree views. there was a ride up there too where u learnt a bit about the history and how canterbury(the province which christchurch is in) was formed all the millions of years ago, basically all volcanic.
Tram Ride:
just as dusk started to set in it was onto the final part of the 'big 5' tour, an old fashioned tram ride around the city of chch, with commentary of all the key places/landmarks which we passed on the way around.
well today, sunday, had alot of things crammed into it. not alot of time inbetween but a day very much worth it. first impressions of christchurch were soon replaced with good ones after this fine day.
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