Mon 23rd – Thu 26th March 2026
The view from the aircraft was spectacular as we crossed the South Island on our approach to Christchurch.
Christchurch:
The city of Christchurch is very pleasant. There is an open and modern feel to it, which results from much of the original city centre being demolished as a result of a major earthquake on 22nd February 2011 in which 185 people lost their lives.
The buildings are a mixture of the old and the new. The cathedral was extensively damaged, losing its distinctive tower.
The city currently has an “interim” cathedral, apparently made of cardboard:
There are many heritage trams which travel the tram tracks through the city centre. They are mostly a tourist attraction, offering a city tour.
There are many large murals and other artworks:
The botanic gardens are large and a very pleasant oasis of calm:
Punting on the River Avon is offered, with men in period costume doing the hard work.
It is hard to believe that we are literally the other side of the world from home.
Whilst in Christchurch, we stayed in the Crowne Plaza Hotel, one of the tallest buildings at 17 floors. We were on the 12th floor.
After a couple of nights to get over our jet-lag, we collected our motorhome, Fufu’s big sister, “Fee-Fee”:
We had to wait a while before we could leave with Fee-Fee, so went and did some shopping for the trip. After the hand-over, we made our way to Lakeside Domain, a free camping ground near to the coast on the shore of the huge, Lake Ellesmere.
The weather turned wet and wild so we decided to stay a second night, but did take a walk around the area, finding some huge Fly Agaric toadstools:
That is it for now. TTFN and see-u-later.
"See-u-Later" 