Flight 415 touched down at Christchurch in New Zealand’s south island a little ahead of schedule on Monday night. When I stepped off the plane I thought I’d gotten off at Heathrow. It’s bloody freezing over here! For the first time in four months I can see my own breath at night. I was going to get my haircut today - the piece is getting out of control again - but thought I’d leave it for a little extra insulation.
Besides the cold Christchurch is a nice city. There’s not an awful lot to do here other than exploring on foot. I’ve done the City Council’s three city walks; a leaflet guides you around the central city passing various sites of historical and cultural importance along the way. I explored the cathedral and Canterbury Museum, and walked alongside the River Avon to see things like the Bridge of Remembrance and The Arts Centre. And you know you’re starting to get old when you quite enjoy a late afternoon stroll through the Botanic Gardens. The highlight of today’s walkabout was a firefighters memorial sculpted from steel girders taken from the September 11th World Trade Centre wreckage. Which was quite interesting.
I’ve booked on to the Kiwi Experience - a means of getting around the country, stopping off at interesting places and socialising on nights out with everyone else on your bus. It’s in this way that it differs from the Greyhound travel deal we had in Australia. I’m doing the ‘dog leg’ route, starting here in Christchurch and ending in Auckland - in the north island. My first bus leaves tomorrow morning at 7.15am. I’m not sure where it’s going exactly… I guess I’ll find out when it arrives. I’ve only got three weeks here which isn’t going to be long enough, I can already tell.
It even looks like blighty! At least it’ll prepare you for the rather cold and wet summer we’re having over here! Are you on your lonesome again?
Hey bud. Yeah just me again now but I’ve met some lads who are doing the same route as me so it’s all sweet.