Christchurch
Here I am in the centre of Christchurch, near the cathedral which is obvioulsy where everyone meets their mates.
Back to Singapore. We tok a cab to the Raffles Hotel and were handed out by an Indian guy dressed to the nines in Empire garb. The building - which is massive - is impressive with lots of open arcades and airy courtyards as well as the various cafes and bars. We could not do "Tiffin" as they were fully booked - just as well as the price was a bit steep - but we found a place where we had tea and a cake in another part of the complex. The famous Long Bar was I admit a disappointment - packed to the rafters and a mite dark and glomy for my taste. Jacqui snapped me in the lobby just before an officious flunkey stopped someone else taking a shot so that was lucky.
Cock-up meant we arrived late at the airport so had very poor seats at the back with no aisle seat and amongst a party of Finns whose chatter was somewaht daunting at times. Jammed against the window I spent an uncomfortable flight but managed to watch The Dish plus a strange Johnny Depp movie called Don Juan something - I'll fill you in about this later....
Arrived hot and tired in NZ - warm sunny day - drove into Christchurch along very English lookkng suburban roads with lots of bungalows. Flew in over the Fox Glacier (I think) which was impressive - high barren snow topped mountains all very Tolkeinesque. Area near Christchurch very flat with lots of farmland and some vineyards. Patchwork of fields often with line of trees to provide shelter from the wind making them resemble a child's drawing of fields - if you follow me. Hotel seems fine - huge room and friendly staff - will try the pool later but the food looks pricey so we may venture out for supper.
Looking forward to the train trip Tuesday and collecting the car which will make life much easier all round.
Must go explore the town and look for eateries for later ...
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Christchurch like a provincial English town with familiar architecture and lots of English influences (like a cathedral designed by Gilbert Scott) Have enjoyed strolling round the town seeing the sights - off tommorrow on the train to Greymouth (wizard) and then will collect the car and start out touring.
Back to Singapore. We tok a cab to the Raffles Hotel and were handed out by an Indian guy dressed to the nines in Empire garb. The building - which is massive - is impressive with lots of open arcades and airy courtyards as well as the various cafes and bars. We could not do "Tiffin" as they were fully booked - just as well as the price was a bit steep - but we found a place where we had tea and a cake in another part of the complex. The famous Long Bar was I admit a disappointment - packed to the rafters and a mite dark and glomy for my taste. Jacqui snapped me in the lobby just before an officious flunkey stopped someone else taking a shot so that was lucky.
Cock-up meant we arrived late at the airport so had very poor seats at the back with no aisle seat and amongst a party of Finns whose chatter was somewaht daunting at times. Jammed against the window I spent an uncomfortable flight but managed to watch The Dish plus a strange Johnny Depp movie called Don Juan something - I'll fill you in about this later....
Arrived hot and tired in NZ - warm sunny day - drove into Christchurch along very English lookkng suburban roads with lots of bungalows. Flew in over the Fox Glacier (I think) which was impressive - high barren snow topped mountains all very Tolkeinesque. Area near Christchurch very flat with lots of farmland and some vineyards. Patchwork of fields often with line of trees to provide shelter from the wind making them resemble a child's drawing of fields - if you follow me. Hotel seems fine - huge room and friendly staff - will try the pool later but the food looks pricey so we may venture out for supper.
Looking forward to the train trip Tuesday and collecting the car which will make life much easier all round.
Must go explore the town and look for eateries for later ...
------------
Christchurch like a provincial English town with familiar architecture and lots of English influences (like a cathedral designed by Gilbert Scott) Have enjoyed strolling round the town seeing the sights - off tommorrow on the train to Greymouth (wizard) and then will collect the car and start out touring.
posted by Adrian Smith at 3:21 AM
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