Fun days in 'ChCh'

ChCh B52s on the strip
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Christchurch is a beautiful city, reminded me of Cambridge in England

We went out with the New Zealand guy I’d met in Queenstown because he lives in Christchurch. We hit “the strip”, and is becoming tradition, started off the drinking off with more B52s.

my own private flight over Christchurch

The next day, we did lots of people and busker watching in Christchurch square, made it to the famous Sunday markets at the Arts Centre; but when my friend offered to take us up in a plane (he’s a pilot) for a flight that afternoon, Jon was feeling a little too weary to brave the turbulence so I had my own private flight over Christchurch and all the peninsulas, not to mention being shown the sights around Christchurch from a local.

ChCh Chess Game in Christchurch Square
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At the Willowbank Wildlife Park I saw all the native animals – including the infamous flightless Kiwi bird. I couldn’t take photos as they’re very sensitive to light but I felt so fortunate to see one as they’re nearly as rare as a dodo.

Jon and I took road trips with Christchurch as our base to surrounding towns. We were swapping campervans so got a nippier car for the couple of days in between to whiz around the winding coastal roads to Akaroa, a town settled by the French, so lots of French history and influences which was lovely, quaint and relaxing - I could have stayed here for a week. A bike ride around the hills geared us up for the wine tour by bike we were due to do in a few days....

ChCh Christchurch Cathederal
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We also went to the world’s best Antarctica exhibition in New Zealand – very interesting! I didn’t realise NZ played such a crucial and dominant role in the treaty. It wetted my appetite for my own journey to Antarctica this December– I’m well informed and really excited now!