Christchurch and the Adrenalin Forest

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Christchurch is a beautiful city of about 300,000 with large cathedrals and stone buildings. A large downtown park with botanic gardens, sports fields, and a golf course became our hub and parking spot. Kirby took a round on the golf course while Christina checked out the Art Gallery. Parking there was an adventure for a few reasons. First of all, the sky was falling. It was hazardous to walk or drive through the park with all of the falling nuts from the huge trees above. Secondly, it was free downtown parking and therefore a hot commodity on weekends, so getting boxed in by people "creating new spots" was always a possibility. Thirdly, it was chock full of runners, cyclists, tennis players, golfers, picnickers, birds who preyed off picnickers, families, and punks.

From the gardens, we were a short walk from the library, town center, and shops. The library quickly became our day home with its free internet, newspapers, and three stories of books. Downtown Christchurch is full of action and a hub of activity; although big box stores are moving some shoppers out of the central business district like in Canada, it is nice to see a city center alive and well. You can see some pictures of downtown below - along the river, and the buildings of Christ's College (private boys high school).

There were a few attractions on our list to see and do in Christchurch, and the first was a sequel to our Tree Adventures in Auckland. Here, we found "Adrenalin Forest", a smaller tree course but higher and harder. We found it unnerving at times, not because of the height, but because the trees were swaying and the cables were a lot more lax. At times it felt like the "tight ropes" were "loose ropes" and perhaps a bit less safe. Nonetheless, we had a great time, this time climbing to 17 meters above the ground, and had a good time talking with the character who owned it, an opinionated energetic man from France.

Tui also got treated to a well-earned and needed wash. We lost one of our close friends, Spider, who had lived on Tui's back mirror with us for the last three months.... since we last washed Tui.

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Photos

Fall is Around the Corner
A spot we camped a number of nights, just North of Christchurch on the river.

Green Gardens
Also at the spot we camped North of Christchurch, you can see the vines climbing the trees.

Christ's College
I wonder if the boys who go here appreciate the buildings???

Hagley Golf Course
This is the golf course in the park downtown, Kirby took it for a spin.

The Avon River
These two birds are here every day. There are handsome chaps waiting to taking you punting down the Avon any time. The library overlooks the river.

The Sky is Falling! The Sky is Falling!
There should be a hard hat required in this park!

Aw Nuts!
These were falling, not the sky!

Tui Gets a Scrub
Kirby puts on some elbow grease.

G.I. Christina
Christina pulls herself through the barrels about 8 meters up

Hanging from the Ropes
This one was scary, you dropped really fast and flew into the net

Tarzan Kirby Hangs in the Shadows
At the Adrenalin Forest

High in the Sky
This is how high 17 meters is. A great place to play.

Comments

[Riley Armstrong]

high ropes
17 meters is a long way up, and a long way down. How did you score on the golf game? Does the ball circle the hole the opposite direction in the southern hemisphere?