Blogs from Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand, Oceania - page 6

Advertisement

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Christchurch February 20th 2017

We left Punakaiki early in the morning traveling back over the southern alps on our way from the west to the east coast to Christchurch before our flight to Wellington. The south island’s west coast is very sparsely populated and as a result, one of my lingering memories of New Zealand’s south island is not only the breathtaking beauty, but the almost nonexistence of any watercraft of any kind to be seen on the beautiful lakes and oceans. On the way we stopped for lunch at the Rubicon Valley Sheep Statioin. in addition to a traditional farm lunch of lamb hamburger and beef sausages, we took a tour of the ranch, saw an exhibition of sheep dogs handling the sheep and were able to observe sheep shearing. We arrived in Christchurch to take a short tour ... read more
IMG_2565
IMG_2567
IMG_2569

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Christchurch February 14th 2017

Geo: -43.5316, 172.637We had scheduled to take a train along the coast from Blenheim to Christchurch, but the earthquake in November put a change in those plans. The track is not expected to be back in service until May. As a result, we took a short flight to Christchurch.Flying in, we could see brush fires engulfing a surrounding mountain. But, we were able to take a gondola to the top of another mountain, and hike along the Crater Ridge Trail. Beautiful!... read more
Mountains surrounding Blenheim
Vineyards everywhere in the Marlborough region
Rainbow

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Christchurch February 14th 2017

13 et 14 février 2017 : Nous quittons Dunedin pour Christchurch. A midi nous nous arrêtons pour casser la croûte à Temuka. Nous arrivons à Christchurch dans l'après-midi et nous allons directement déposer nos affaires à l'hôtel.Nous resterons deux jours dans cette magnifique ville complètement défigurée par les tremblements de terre successifs (4 septembrs 2010,.22 février 2011, 13 juin 2011 et le 14 février 2014) La ville est un énorme chantier en reconstruction avec des bâtiments éventrés un peu partout. Le deuxième jour, nous prenons le téléphérique qui nous emmène en haut du mont Cavendish et dui domine toute la ville. Au moment de rendre le voiture, le compteur indique 63 065 kms. Nous avons donc parcouru 4 865 kilomètres en une semaine en Nouvelle-Zélande.... read more
CHRISTCHURCH
CHRISTCHURCH
CHRISTCHURCH

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Christchurch January 16th 2017

Christchurch a été dévastée en 2011 par un terrible séisme, la ville est encore en reconstruction. Atmosphère étrange. Mais il règne ici un gros potentiel artistique, c'est sombre et triste et à la fois en pleine effervescence. La veille à la Banks Peninsula on a rencontré Marisha une copine de Susan, guide de rando, le métier rêvé ici !!! mais on me demande 5 ans d'expérience de Nz... Je continue la route au Mount Somers (1687m) pendant que Susan file au lake Tekapo, Julien m'a caché un 3ème trésor au sommet. Montée raide mais belle sous un vent à décorner les boeufs !!! Je ne reste pas longtemps en haut, je suis au sommet à 9h40, descente et je retrouve Henry au camping, une douche et on file au lake Tekapo. Là bas je me remets ... read more
Christchurch
Restes de la cathédrale
Tramway de Christchurch

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Christchurch December 24th 2016

Drove to Kaikoura today, the road south is open. Had to make a few detours and some of it is one way, but we made it. It was like a ghost town. A number of buildings are cordoned off, including the movie theatre (Art Deco). A couple of things I keep forgetting to pass on: People don't wear shoes, not just kids, adults too, even in the store. They farm deer, huge deer that look like elk. According to what we have heard, the English brought deer here and without a predator they flourished. So they rounded them up, put a fence around them and raise them for meat.... read more
Earthquake damage
Snow on the mountains Kaikoura
Bob bbq'ing streak at our AirBnB

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Christchurch December 23rd 2016

Arrived in Ohoka yesterday, suburb of Christchurch. Spent 3 great days in Hanmer Springs, did some great walks. One we shouldn't have done, way too hard, very steep, rocky and long; and it was 29 degrees! The springs where great, went 2 evenings so not as busy as during the day. Had a little earthquake Wednesday morning, 4.1. We are staying at a hobby farm (Airbnb) until Monday, they grow olives and press them for oil. Place is lovely, about 7 acres, the house is lovely too. Today we went to the Antarctic Centre, the weather was crappy and it is indoors. Was really interesting and educational. They have a penguin enclosure and we watched the feeding. All of the penguins are rescue, all with some disability. On the way home we were stopped in a ... read more
Half way point of our too long walk
Half way point
Golden kiwi

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Christchurch December 11th 2016

So everything is going to plan except for the storm heading for Chennai which we will hopefully not have to fly through. The anticipated relaxing three days on the coast may turn change. Watch this space.... read more

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Christchurch December 2nd 2016

Giday all from Christchurch. After taking a short holiday from this blog, we're back, as three fantastic weeks on the South Island of New Zealand come to an end. This presents two immediate challenges: (i) to summarise around 3000km of driving and everything we've done en route in less than 800 words, and (ii) to try and find enough superlatives to describe the simply awesome sights this country has to offer. After bidding a teary farewell to our trusted campervan in Queenstown, we set about exploring on foot. Despite being the adrenaline sports capital of the world, we weren't tempted to chuck ourselves out of a plane, but instead ascended by gondola to the 'Skyline', a viewing point with stunning panoramas over the town and Lake Wakatipu. Apart from getting shoved around a bit by scores ... read more

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Christchurch November 25th 2016

Geo: -43.5316, 172.637Showers and a relaxed breakfast, then packed up the camper and headed off.Dropped off the camper, and took a shuttle to the Rendezvous in Christchurch.Checked in early and headed out for lunch and to explore the city.Christchurch was really hammered by that earthquake, but are slowly rebuilding.Lots of popup container shops and murals on deserted buildings.We visited the cardboard cathederal, the 185 white chair site and Cathedral Square.Back to the hotel for a 'real' shower and a cuppa.It was white ribbon day with a large ceremony in Cathederal Square at 5pm, so we watched 200 army cadets do a haka, speakers talking about family violence, and the end of the White Ribbon riders trek around the South Island. Very impressive and moving.Out for yummy Japanese for dinner, and watched some real TV in our ... read more
185 white chair memorial
Cardboard Cathederal
Awesome street art

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Christchurch November 12th 2016

Geo: -43.5316, 172.637There was a screaming baby on our overnight flight, so we got no sleep. Then waited at the airport for 2hrs before picking up our campervan. Drove around Chistchurch trying to find the Quake Museum but got lost, so headed off to Timaru.Stopped in Ashburton for lunch, Club Sandwich, Banana and Bacon Pancakes with Maple Syrup, and an awesome Soy Chai Latte.On to Timaru and checked into the local Top10 park. Had showers to try and wake ourselves up - didn't really work, but went for a nice walk at Caroline Beach anyway.Got recommended a local Fish&Chip shop, bt it wasn't very good. Derek is struggling a bit with the size of the campervan, for parking and turning.Watched a couple of episodes of The Voice USA and had an early night. Hopefully tomorrow will ... read more




Tot: 0.107s; Tpl: 0.006s; cc: 4; qc: 88; dbt: 0.0659s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1; ; mem: 1.2mb