I have just spent a long weekend down in Christchurch and took in the sights of the city and it surrounds. My brother said he'd be the tour guide. He didn't want to pay for premium parking at the airport, so my first experience in Christchurch was to walk 10,000 miles to the car parked by the Antartic Centre. The Antartic Centre has a 4D experience. Heres the blurb: 4D is a theatrical term for the fourth dimension. The 4D EXTREME Theatre features an exciting 3D movie with the special 4D effects added. These include falling snow, water spray, wind, lighting, snow, bubbles and unexpected seat movement. ....... kind of wished I'd done it now....... Tom is fairly new to Christchurch, and both of us are useless with directions and have an extreme talent for getting lost and going down one way streets the wrong way. But even though there was lots of U turns and searching maps, it did make for an exciting adventure and we did accomplish heaps! First of course we had to look at the earthquake damage in the city. You don't have to get right ino the city centre to see it. It was really sad to see the beautiful old brick character buildings, just crumbled. I would have loved to explore the Arts Centre, but the buildings have really been damaged. According to an article on www.stuff.co.nz, it's rebuilding costs are going to be an estimated $100 million. "All the buildings are red-stickered, except for the 1960s registry building, but Arts Centre director Ken Franklin has vowed to rebuild the most valuable heritage buildings. "There is no question about backing away from this task," he said. The Observatory building in the North Quadrant has collapsed, the Clock Tower has a large crack and a tower above the Coffee Corner cafe was destroyed. Stone gables have collapsed, facades are tilting and thick cracks run through many walls." There was a cool series of photographs to view along the sidewalk, across the road. They were based on impacts on the world's environment. We then went and viewed the Botanic Gardens. I really liked the un-manicured parts. We then visited the Museum. There was the photo exhibition by Brian Brake called "Lens on the World". It was a retrospective exhibition of his photos spanning his forty-year career. My favourite part of the museum visit was visiting Paua Shell House, the replica of Fred and Myrtle Flutey's, Paua clad home. As well as the walk through exhibit, there was a small movie theatre showing a short film about Fred and Myrtle. They were such a gorgeous couple! It was now after 5, so we hit a mall for something to eat...... If you have never had a rice ball at a sushi bar, you must try it! On the outside it looks like a big boring ball of rice, but on the inside it's full of all sorts of yummies! Finished the day by watching the new 'Planet of the Apes' movie at Hoyts. Good Movie. Friday night, felt 3 small earthquakes. Saturday was a road trip from Christchurch to Kaikoura. I wanted to see seals and Maori Leap Cave. We started off with a couple of garage sales on the way. I got me some free skeechers, and Tom got a whole lot of other rubbish to fill the already overflowing back seat, (think filing system, bar, pantry, rubbish bin, closet, all rolled into one car back seat). I especially burnt some road travelling music on Cds for this road trip, but Tom's car didn't have a Cd player, only a usb plug in.... sigh, had to listen to his songs over and over and over and over and over... The road trip is stunning. We stopped for lunch at this lake. I don't know what it is was called, but it was very pretty. Tom had made us some sandwiches with 2 day old dinner leftovers for the filling. But with the view and the quiet, I was able to munch away and forget about what I was actually putting in my mouth..... and into my stomach..........shudder.. Kaikoura Coastline!! You know when you have a surfie brother, when he can stick his head out the car window while driving along, and smells seals. I think we woke it up. We were really close, but it was more curious about the paua diver in the water. With all the beach views, Tom couldn't handle it any longer and had to go for a swim. Too cold for me so I took photos. It was at this point in the trip Tom asks me if I have something more classy to wear (I'm just casual as, in khakis, cap.) We are apparently going to a very nice roof party, with wine and platters, at a place in the mountains (with its very own air strip, plane shed, stunning views all around, doubled storey house with a place for a jacuzzi). He was part of the building team. AAAAAAAAA! So a mad dash in Kaikoura township to try and find something to wear, to come out with nothing because they are all surfie clothes shops which didn't have the look, or I couldn't afford the prices. To top if off, all the clothes shopping made me miss the Maori Leap Cave tour! " ...mutter mutter.. brothers.... mutter mutter... all right for them....can just change a shirt and ruffle hair and look ok.... mutter mutter... need at least an hours prep for this... mutter mutter... You get the picture. ![]() Me after rummaging through my bag and coming out with a bush dress and tights... put a scarf around it, she'll be right :-P The views from the house were awesome. They were doing clay bird shooting next to the house. You think this would have been our day, but no! A cousin wants us to attend his "After Shock" party back in Christchurch, with the theme " Colour ". I start the drive back and we stop at the 'Frog Rock' silhouette and climb up to see the views of darkness ... and then I fall on my butt on the way down. We are both tired and grumpy by this stage and the rest of the journey back is arguing, getting lost, and attempts to take over the driver seat. But this party is no problem to get dressed to. I'm a photographer who does kooky photo shoots with stripey stockings and tutus. Colour I can do! I just stick coloured flower stickers all over Tom's shirt.... ![]() Saturday night, felt 3 small earthquakes, also Tom is so tired he backs the car into something and now the boot won't shut. Sunday...... I'm sooooo tired...... First a stop off at Riccarton Markets, I buy a cheap cardy, because I'm Freezin! But I am in love with that cardy because its big and baggy and warm. On the way to Hamner Springs we stop at a winery? (can't quite remember), and Tom buys me these gorgeous soaps, one has hunks of lavender in it. The boot of the car is causing stress. We go to Hamner Springs!!! ...... There is now a big gap in the time slot and photography, as I'm too relaxed and too weak to pick up a camera. Except we did try out the water slides a few times. Just pushed those little kids aside. Hamner Springs has a sweet shop! I bought a lollipop, a bag of sweet fishies, a bag of sweet penguins, a bag of sweet snails, a bag of Kahlua marshmellows, a bag of Peanut Butter M&Ms, and a chocolate covered Russian Fudge bar. ![]() On the way back from Hamner Springs, the clouds looked like they were mimicking the hills. Ended the day at the Oak and Ferry bar and restaurant. The food was awesome! A highly recommended from me. The boot of the car will never close again and keeps laughing at us every time we go over a bump. Sunday night I feel no earthquakes - I could have slept through anything. Early Flight Monday morning back to Rotorua. We had a fabulous pilot who took us over all the pretty places and tilted the plane to make sure we got good views and camera shots. I was seated right by the propeller, but at least it was a window seat. Finishing Quote:
BIG hugs and thanks to Noddy, for driving me here, there and everywhere. For my lovely soaps and white headphones. For putting up with me losing my mobile phone and lip glosses many times over the trip, for sacrificing your car boot and sanity for your older sister. Thanks Bruce and the Boys for letting me go and play in Christchurch. Calico Jo www.calicojo.co.nz Posted 28th September 2011 by Calico Jo's Photography
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