Two weeks in Christchurch

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I thought I would share with you some of the pictures from Christchurch and tell you a bit about this city. Neither Randy or I are particularly fond of cities, but this one is really very nice. It is not at all crowded-even at "rush hour!"- and it seems to be very clean, with a very relaxed feeling to it. Many of the historic buildings are built in Gothic style and there are a lot of park areas-including the expansive Hagley Park in the center, which contains the botanic gardens. The Avon river runs through the city and is bordered by green stretches, and is quite picturesque. "Punters" take people on boat rides down the river, much as you would see in Venice.The central square, which contains the Cathedral, is truly the city center, and often has singers, musicians, food and craft carts, and an ongoing open air chess game. Within a 10 minutes drive, you can be at Brighton Beach, which has a lovely pier, and hardly New Zealanders surf there year round in wetsuits!!(and they are NOT all kids, either!!) This just amazed us; the air temperature was around 50, and the water temperature was about the same. How do they not get hypothermia?? Twenty minutes the other direction, you can be in the mountains. Randy has gottenmore proficient in driving on "the opposite side" of the road, and rarely turns on the windsheild wipers anymore when he wants to make a turn. Our trusty GPS has really been great in directing us around the city and surrounding areas. So far she really knows her stuff!! The reason we have been here is that I have been orienting at Christchurch Hospital, and tomorrow we will be leaving for Timaru.

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Photos

Home base
Timaru Hospital put us up in a lovely centrally located apartment for my 2 weeks orientation at Christchurch Hospital

Punting on the Avon
Just like in Venice!

Flowers in the winter
How do they grow in winter? Must be really gorgeous in Spring!

Penguins on a truck
En route to the Antarctic Museum

very British!
Can't get that guy off the phone!

Sunset at Brighton Beach
see the surfers? BRRRR!

Cathedral
The central landmark in CHristchuch

Beside the Avon river
very parklike and relaxing

Comments

[Helene]

Fun?
Hi Robin and Randy, Looks like you guys are having the time of your life. Helene