Blogs from Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand, Oceania - page 8

Botanical Gardens i-Site Within the botanical gardens is the Christchurch i-Site, their tourist information centre. I was just in time to be able to go in before it closed, and arranged tickets for the following day. I bought a pass that covered the tram, gondola and punting. I was told to get to the punting early and to see if there were any spaces available on the early punts. Peacock Fountain Whilst at the botanical gardens, I also saw the Peacock Fountain, bought by the Christchurch Beautifying Society from money bequeathed by John Thomas Peacock, which was first unveiled in 1911 in a different location. It has been at its current location in the botanical gardens since 1996. Canterbury Museum Right next door to the botanical garden... read more

Transfer from the Airport to the Ibis On the afternoon I arrived, I was met at the airport by the transfer arranged by AATKings. I also met another couple that was on the same tour as me. The first thing I did was get a Vodafone card for my phone so I could access data. I paid $49 for a package, but to be honest, I burnt through it quickly and didn't top it up and just relied on the bus, hotel and other free wifi I found. The bus driver took us on a magical mystery tour around Christchurch and showed us some things I had read about and decided to go back to. Once we were dropped at the hotel I had to get the guy from reception to break into my suitcase as ... read more

Isaac Theatre Royal Leaving the cathedral square I could see the Isaac Theatre Royal through what is now an open space, which was probably a building before the earthquakes. "When work on the third incarnation began on 20 November 1906 the Christchurch Press confidently stated that the building would be ‘one of the most modern and comfortable south of the line’. The Australian brothers Sydney and A.E. Luttrell designed the original French Renaissance-style building, and acted as architects and structural engineers during its 15-month construction." Isaac Theatre Royal Official Website New Regent Street I made my way to New Regent Street via Tramway Lane. New Regent Street - the most beautiful street in New Zealand. On 1 April 1932, New Regent Street was ... read more

Leaving Sydney Getting to the airport The first part of my journey was to get to the airport. As I live in Western Sydney, and the trip to the airport can take at least an hour (depending on the time of day), and the fact that I had a super early flight, I decided to get to the airport the afternoon before I was due to fly out, and stay at a hotel at the airport. I'm glad I did, as the trains weren't running in the Blue Mountains, and there were buses replacing trains to Blacktown. Luckily I had a friend drop me off at Penrith Station, where I hoped to catch an express bus to the city, however, it wasn't running, so I just waited with the others that were stuck like me trying ... read more

21 mai: Rendez vous à Christchurch avec Sandrine aujourd'hui! La route de Kaikoura jusqu'à Christchurch était très belle, de plus il y avait un superbe temps. Je suis arrivée chez Sandrine en début d'après midi. Cela m'a fait très plaisir de la revoir et bizarre qu'on se retrouve si loin de chez nous !! Pour le weekend on a décidé de prendre son van et d'aller dormir au Lac Brunner et de s'arrêter en cours de route à quelques endroits. De plus le temps était meilleur sur l'autre côte (et oui il pleuvait a plein temps en arrivant sur Christchurch ). Après avoir chargé le van, préparé nos affaires nous voilà parties. On s'est arrêtées à Castle Hill qui est l'endroit favori de Sandrine: pleins de rochers à grimper! ! Le soleil se couchait et il ... read more