Christchurch Day 1

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Landed in Auckland just fine, I was only able to sleep around 4 hours on the international flight, but I was feeling fine. I only had one hour to collect my baggage, pass though customs, then biosecurity, then take a bus to the domestic travel terminal, check my bags in, pass though domestic security and board my flight. Needless to say I was rushed. I was forced to budge the entire baggage check-in line of ~40 people then run to the wrong terminal -> run to the right terminal and budge another line of ~40 people in the security check. While this was happening they called last boarding for my flight. I RAN! Finally I made it to my plane. Needless to say that after 14 hours sitting on a plane and then running in a very humid airport I was sweating a lot. When flying I prefer the window seat because of the view and the convenience of resting my head on the bulkhead. So when I got to my row my and saw that my row-mates consisted of a blind grandma and her very young grandson I thought it would be best to find an empty row for me to terrorize. Arriving a Jame's place was interesting, these crazy NZ people drive on the wrong side of the street. I had a bountiful meal of Tiramisu and coke(cola) waiting for me. After I had refreshed myself I went downtown to Cathedral Square. This is a very touristy area of the city, but it sure is beautiful. Close by is the Art Center and Hagley Park. I've spent around 2.5 days downtown and its been a ton of fun. One thing that I really love is that people seem to retain their cultural identity when they come here. The food and clothing is a lot more authentic that what I've been able to find in Canada.
So far after 2 days I've taken over 600 pictures and only had the time to process pictures from the first day. I've uploaded a few. Comments are always appreciated.

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Photos

Lunch
I'm really suffering. Coke, Tiramisu and thats a 50" HDTV with a PS3 hooked up to it in the background

Statues
These guys are all over the place. Very interesting to see all of them. When I've taken enough pictures I'll make a picture collection of them.

Birds
Most birds will let you get within a few feet of them before hopping away.

Statue painting
This picture looks like a painting

Best picture yet
My crowing glory! A picture of an Asian tourist taking a picture with a Asian tourist taking a picture of an Asian tourist in the background!

STOP
Part of my STOP picture collection

Detail
A number of the old buildings have very interesting sculptures on them

Water wheel
Neat little park running though the middle of town. Most of the bridges in the town have these little parks surrounding them.

Little bird
Yep its a bird

Chimney
Most of the old buildings have chimneys on them

Chicken walker
The imperial army is here

Tall church
They knew how to build those churches tall back in the day

Comments

[MOM]

FROM MOM
Miss you.

[Cousin Debbie]

Wow!!
I love reading about your trip, and your photos are phenomenal. I'm so jealous! Keep posting!