Coming and Going in Christchurch

After a final drunken night...and losing badly at a quiz night....it was time to say farewell to Mr Kevin! Tears were held back (just for a change on my behalf!), a quick hug and "see you later" then we went our seperate ways :-(

Alone again but in a backpacking world I headed back to Foley Towers, my home for the next couple of weeks. Determined not to wallow and miss Mr Kevin I joined in with the backpacking chat and met some other lone travellers.

With only a day or so to start the job hunt I was soon catching up with long lost backpacking buddies. Amy and Polly headed back down to Christchurch so we managed to catch up over a few days, then Luke came into town so we had a little reunion! Saying farewell to Polly and see you later to Luke (who's planning to come back to NZ in the near future- yay!), Amy and I hung out for a couple of days. We took in New Brighton Pier, the Art Gallery, the Museum, the Botanical Gardens and then it was time to say our farewells again...

Deciding to make a conscious effort to actually look for a job....I spent the mornings applying and the afternoons enjoying the Christchurch atmosphere! The street performers in Cathedral Square were some of my faves...saying the same thing to the same tourists day in and day out. I think the Wizard was the best...a very wise man if you get the opportunity to listen to him!

Anyway...one day I was enjoying the sunshine in the Botanical Gardens and who's voice do I hear.... Paul's! I couldn't believe it....Paul and Nat were in Christchurch with his family...in the Botanical Gardens....such a small place or should I say such a loud voice ;-)!!!! It was great...met up with them the next night for drinks and then arranged to catch up with them after a quick trip away...

Well in the meantime I had a telephone interview for Whangarei Hospital -yep! North of the North Island! So much for planning to stay in Christchurch! Well the job description just jumped out at me, sounded perfect and had my name on it! So, why not...I'm free to go and do whatever I want! Well, all went well...got the job and set a date for my return journey back up North!

With a plan in mind it was time to enjoy Christchurch. Sad as it may be but to celebrate I treated myself to a trip to the Kiwi House. I desperatley wanted to see a Kiwi and with even locals telling me that they've never seen one in the wild I thought sod it....why not go and see one of these critters in captivity (sorry...breeding house!). The best bit of all was the fact that the Kiwi House is actually in Cathedral Square...nothing like them being in their natural habitat! So I saw a Kiwi (two actually). Cute little snuffly things. Don't really do much but I suppose what can you really do in a glass enclosure! Feeling not so reassured by the staff that they are well looked after and part of a breeding programme I decided I was determined to fight for Kiwi Survival!

Keeping on the "at one with nature" -in the evening I headed to the cinema with a new found backpacking friend to see March Of The Penguins. Very good documentary/film...although keep the hankies at hand.

I also did the obligatory visit to the Christchurch Cathedral, yep in Cathedral Square, before heading along to Christchurch Museum for the second time. I do love looking at all the stuffed animals and other exciting things! A trip to Sumner Bay (very cool surfing type town), a drive up and around Lyttelton and the other sights around Christchurch suburbs....very nice.

Then Nat, Paul and Mike (his brother) returned for a very drunken night out! Well it had to be really...it was Paul's birthday and all! So off we went for a really nice meal out (never were real backpackers- flashpackers I believe we're called!)....some bubbly...some tequila...some more tequila (who's idea was that!)....then home (I think!). Tequila is bad. Tequila is evil.

Hungover the next day, I managed to walk to the Botanical Gardens, found a quiet, secluded spot in the rose garden and suffered in the glorious sunshine. Well, not much was accomplished, managed to watch a bit of the celebrations in Cathedral Square (Buddha's birthday!) but I had an early start for my trip back up north the next day, so packing was the main agenda. My last night in Christchurch wasn't quite what I planned but yet very enjoyable. Sat around talking to my new found backpacking chums and had a Tarot reading from this Islraeli guy. Such a nice bloke and so unbelievably freaky (or should I say accurate) the stuff he divulged! I'm not usually one to believe in that kinda of stuff but I'm no longer a cynic! One day we shall meet again!

So, that was Christchurch...brief...fun...I'll be back when the time is right!

---

---