Christchurch
Trip Start
Jul 16, 2007
1
116
139
Trip End
Jul 15, 2008
Christchurch,
South Island,
New Zealand
Friday, May 16, 2008
Mt cook from other side towards Xchurch
The first stop is Lake Pukaki with a stunning view of Mt Cook behind it. Then on to Lake Tekapo with the tiny church of the good Shepherd overlooking the lake. It is made from rocks from the lake. Then we continue straight on to Christchurch. The only interruptions are the traffic jam with the sheep crossing the road. Its a strange journey, barely any inhabitations passed, no traffic lights, few people, just fields and open land and space. We arrive into Christchurch at around 5pm. Its very quiet for the biggest city in the south island. Plenty of time for a few drinks for Jessie's last night.
NZ traffic jam
Thursday we have a free day in Christchurch. Our hostel is right in the main square overlooking the cathedral. Great location. We watch a crazy street entertainer walk across broken glass and swallow a sword before a coffee in the square as Japanese school kids do some orienteering challenge.
Christchurch
Then off shopping and a mini walking tour as we watch the tram trundle by and cross the river Avon. We are trying to find a decent shopping area - Julia flies home so time for some last minute shopping. But this place is strangely deserted, a little eerie. Then Julia's last backpacker meal so we cook up a veggie curry - sweet as!Friday comes and we book our shuttle to the airport. Julia's due to go an hour before me back to London via Sydney. I'm off to Melbourne. She's just about to go and get her bus when Qantas call her. There are delays on the Sydney flight so they are going to put her on the Melbourne flight. So that is where we are now - somewhere above the Tasman sea, downgraded to a Jet star flight, heading towards Melbourne. 2hrs 45mins to go and then the next country.
