Saturday Morning Run Through Hagley Park

I'm pleased to repot that New Zealand has had a reprieve from cyclones and Once in some-number-of-hundred Year Storms.  The days have been sunny and pleasant, and the nights clear, if not a bit freezing. I'll take it. We'll call it "summer".

Anyways, I was on a fantastic morning run through Hagley Park (my favorite place for baby duck sighting) on Saturday, and I was hoping to take lots of pictures of the fall colors. It seems that I was too late though as I found just evergreens and a lot of bare branches.

Pretty none the less.

 As I rounded the back of the botanical gardens I was surprised to find a new building by the river. It turns out that the new visitor's center opened a couple of weeks ago. Who knew?

This is what a mere $16 million looks like in building form. 

Well, apparently these two sorta famous people heard about it because it turns out they stopped by (literally for about 2 minutes) to officially open the new building.

Wills and Kate. OMG!
via

I took a stroll through the new building, which has a pleasant cafe and a pretty nice little gift shop. There is also a small museum which has been done beautifully, of course, and is free, of course. I love that about New Zealand.

The rest of the building is home to nursery rooms for cultivating native and rare plants. These rooms have automatic screens that raise and lower depending on the sun, so on a sunny day like this one, the whole building has a futuristic white look to it. On cloudy days (or on the non-sunny side of the building) it has a modern greenhouse look.

In other news I survived another round of night shifts (barely) and no, they haven't gotten an easier. Between shifts I managed to get out and enjoy the cooperative weather. 

Birthday Photos

Scott's birthday came and went nearly 2 weeks ago, but since my writing is even more belated than that… here's a few photos of the day. We hiked around our "backyard", had a nice lunch, and a relaxed evening. This may sound pretty leisurely, but the last few weeks have been anything but. Stay tuned…

That dirty 'stache is for Movember, the worst trend for a good cause, ever.

This is what 32 looks like!

Earthquake! (Part 3): A walk through the CBD

I know I already wrote a bit about the Canterbury earthquakes, and posted my photos of the aftermath. I think every expat that lands in this city has to come to terms with it. Which can take some time. While I prefer to call Christchurch quirky and up-coming, plenty of people call it depressing. There is one thing we can all agree on: there are a ridiculous amount of road cones and I sure wish I owned that company.

CBD is short for the Central Business District, aka: what was the thriving and bustling heart of downtown Christchurch. Picture large Victorian stone buildings, massive trees, a romantic lazy river... expensive shops for well to do travelers, street performers, bars bursting with rugby fans, and a street bazaar with worldly treasures. Don't forget to hop on the cute little trolly to get from one side of the CBD to the other, from the trolly you can get a quick glimpse at the numerous stone fountains and lazy park nappers. How there can be so many parks and statues inside one downtown I don't know. But it sure makes it pretty. Interesting little pedestrian alleyways lure you in with delicious coffee aromas and promises of sweet Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. The baskets of flowers over your head are pouring out with petunias, and you wonder if you are in New Zealand? Or London? Or France?

I'm glad I got to experience it. Because that's all gone. A lot of Canterburians find themselves avoiding the CBD because it is too heart wrenching for them. And I actually found myself inadvertently avoiding it just because traffic doesn't run through and when we moved here, there wasn't much to see (besides totally munted buildings). So I went back the other day because I heard that New Regent Street, a small brick road with shops and restaurants and a cute facade, had reopened. I was pleased to find it opened and half full of business, with many more on the way. I was also pleasantly surprised by how much more of the CBD is "opened up"... at least the streets are walkable and drivable, and a lot of the Red Zoned buildings have come down. Immense progress in the 4 months since I've last really cruised around the CBD.

New Regent Street

Will have to check this out.

Looking down New Regent Street...

Hard to miss that building at the end.

So that's kind of what being in the CBD feels like. Have a $40 lunch of Manuka Salmon and Rocket Salad beneath the leaning tower of earthquake destruction. It's not for the faint of heart, but it is pretty fascinating.

Peering through the windows: An untouched interior of your favorite corporate coffee company

 

Don't worry kids, the window says Starbucks will be OK!

Next door to Starbucks, the inside of Just Jeans.

A little fence art?

Sure Christchurch, why wouldn't you put comically oversized astroturf furniture in the center of the rebuild?

As most of you know, we were in Christchurch 2 years ago, just days before the February earthquake. Had I known we would never see it like that again, I would have taken more pictures. I only have a couple... but here's my before and after shots. Kind of interesting...

Darling downtown CBD

Well, the wheat is still there...

Yep, we all know it's gone now. But here's my personal photo of it.

So there's a reality here that expats and visitors alike have to be aware of. However, there's also a very real revival happening. There's tons to do and tons to see, from Quake City for those of you that are morbidly interested in the earthquakes and damage, to Hagley Park, for those of you who prefer nature and ducks and flowers (like me)! Actually I wrote an article about all the things there are to do in Christchurch (for cheap!) so seriously, don't let the earthquake put you off. They've done a lot in the last 27 months... there's just so much to do.

In less dusty cone zoned times...

Anzac Day

It is the end of April (which if I were constantly converting into northern hemisphere monthly equivalents, would be the end of October. But I'm definitely not doing that anymore...). We are well in to fall, and frankly I have been bracing myself strongly for winter. Because every Canterburian insists on telling us how insanely awful it's going to be. But how can it really be THAT bad? I mean, it barely even snows, and sure the wind comes from Antartica (really), but it's got all kinds of miles to warm up between there and here. Right?

Anyway I'm getting off track. So it's the end of April, it's fall, and I keep meaning to take pictures of the amazing foliage. I mistakenly thought that most fauna was evergreen in New Zealand, and that we wouldn't experience the normal color cascades of fall. Man, was I wrong. And I've planned, for at least a week now, on documenting how beautifully wrong I was. But I can never, ever, ever seem to remember my camera. Except when I go on a bike ride. Which is what I did yesterday. And it was beautiful. Not a fall color to be seen. Ocean everywhere.

Yesterday was Anzac Day. I know all of you Americans just thought to yourselves, "Anza-wha?" So did I, until Google helped me out last week. Anyways, Anzac Day is a(nother) New Zealand public holiday. On this day we remember the Australians and New Zealanders "who served and died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations" and "the contribution and suffering of all those who have served." (Source: directly plagiarized from Wikipedia). I suppose it's akin to Memorial Day. Everyone wears a red poppy pinned to their shirts to show support and respect for those who served.

Scott got the day off and went off to play in the mountains with the other mountain bikers. I on the other hand, had a work day starting at 3pm (cha-ching! Holiday Pay!) and had to find ways to entertain myself all morning. So instead of remembering to take photos of pretty fall trees, I went for a bike ride. And took lots and lots of pictures of the pretty ocean. A lot like the pretty pictures you've all been subject to before. But this is my blog. So here's my lovely, if not mildly familiar, Anzac Day pre-work bike ride photos:

Maybe I'm having a hard time believing all the winter talk because it looks LIKE THIS outside!!!

A glimpse of a few feet of my 2,600ft climb. Yep, did it to myself people.

View of Christchurch from the south... flat...

"You know you're in Christchurch when..."

Taylor's Mistake. I don't know what mistake Taylor made... cuz I would totally land my ship there too.

A bunch of locals, and one who really wants to know WTH I'm doing so close to her paddock.

Close up of the skeptic.

My trusty steed.

So that was my solo Anzac Day adventure. I admit, as a good Kiwi I should have been at a service at dawn. But I didn't read about that until, well, just now actually... there's always next year! 

Akaroa: "There's a flower and a spider in my cereal bowl"

Following a few failed attempts, we finally made it to Akaroa, a small village on the Banks Peninsula. Akaroa is best known for it's French influences, after they settled there in 1838. There are only 500 residents in the small town; but it's popularity with the tourists is evident in all of the shops and restaurants along the wharf.

Being only about an hour from Christchurch, Scott and I decided to head out for a lazy weekend holiday in Akaroa. We packed clothes for any kind of weather (thankfully!), our road bikes (mine's new!), and Scott packed his appetite for French pastries.

I found the town charming, but I think we waited until a bit too late in the season. We had to layer up for our hike in the hills, and the wind whistling across the bay kept us disinterested in the dolphin tours. Actually, a dolphin tour is not really at the top of my list anyways, but I've been told the dolphins in Akaroa are not to be missed. And yet, we missed them.

Oh, and don't get Scott started about the lack of boulangeries (your source for authentic French pastries). Promising the man a chocolate filled pastry and then delivering nothing of the sort will leave your sorry French imposter of a town at the bottom of his list. Thank goodness we at least found some fromage de chevre and some yummy wine.

Cute downtown colors

This B&B is for sale... am I old enough to be an inn keeper yet?



View from our chilly hilly hike, looking down on Akaroa

 We stayed in an... interesting spot. I did very little Internet research before booking a place (so uncharacteristic of me!) and chose a spot solely because it was in a tree. A tree house. Many reviewers who stayed on this farm, in the tree house or one of the other huts, commented on how eclectic and eccentric the proprietor is. I sort of shrugged it off, thinking, I'm open and accepting. No big deal.

Wow. They were right. We were greeted with a scowl, which I later discerned was because she thought Scott's car was too loud. He actually seemed to remain on her bad side right from the get-go, but never mind. We entered the main house to discover the most animal pelts in one place I have ever seen and meet a dove that appeared to be a resident of the kitchen cupboard. There were herbs strewn about the room, something was boiling on the stove, and a black cat slinked around in the next room. I felt I'd stepped into the dark side of a fairy tale.

Next, we were led to our outdoor bathtub... in the middle of a thicket. She told us that she would build a fire under the tub, and when night fell, we were to put our robes on and traipse out to the thicket and hop in the tub. Isn't the water going to be... boiling? The answer to that was yes, but there was a cold water hose running into the tub, so with a bucket and the spicket, one is able to adjust the temperature of the water in the cauldron tub.

Lastly, we found our room. We weren't shown our room, but rather sent off with vague instructions. Either way, we found it, being that we had reserved the one that is up in a tree (which I find fantastic). Unsurprisingly, it was as eccentric as our host. We entered to find a possum fur bedspread complete with multiple possum tails (like, 20!), candles of many shapes and colors, herbs and flowers strewn about, and a shiny red chandelier hanging over the bed. And lots of purple everything.

Flower thicket surrounding outdoor tub

Outdoor tub, pre-fire

View of our tree house

Tree house up close

Scott exploring...

 So I have to admit, although I felt a little bit like we were Hansel and Gretel being led into the oven (or cauldron), the boiling nature bath was actually quite lovely. It did take us a good 10 minutes to regulate the temperature of the water, but we got there, and add a bottle of champagne, and a cool, clear night... it was fabulous. And the stars down here... no light pollution, or air pollution, or noise pollution... wow. Just you and that sky. I'm pretty sure the only other time I've seen so many stars was at Lake Tekapo.

The next morning was equally as entertaining as our arrival. First things first, Scott irritated our host again... although I'm not sure how. Once that was complete, we ambled down for breakfast. On one hand, it was delightful. We were handed a picnic basket with fresh roses and warm croissants. I asked for herbal tea, which turned out to be a mixture of hot berry juice and herbs. Like, stalks of herbs.... in my tea. Which is all good. We sat on animal pelts (of course), and were given some morning reading material. A book actually... about skulls. Animal skulls. Of course.

Scott had me cracking up when he said "there's a flower and a spider in my cereal bowl", and the proceeded to empty and flick the residents out as if it were expected and normal. By this point, I suppose it was.

Breakfast "Room"... just a little different than your average Hilton

Before departing (alive!!!!), we were actually encouraged to climb up the hill and pick apples in the orchard. I had images of Adam & Eve, Snow White, and other such stories of trickery swirling in my head as we trudged up the dewy hill. I tried really hard to remember if there were any apples in the Hansel and Gretel fairytale... and if Brother Grimm or whoever had been on vacay in New Zealand when he dreamt up that story.

Anyways, we had fun picking apples, climbing trees, and sampling all the different sorts we found. I also learned what a beech nut looks like when it grows on the tree, which I would have never guessed in a million years.

The friendly and attractive casing of a beech nut

Apple trees seemed taller when we were smaller



The (literal) fruits of our labor

 I feel like I should put a disclaimer here because we truly enjoyed our stay in Akaroa. I'm not sure if I would return to the tree house because of the pricing, but I found the whole experience to be seriously entertaining. I love places that make you feel one with nature, which this spot surely did. And it's way better to stay somewhere unique. Now I have a brain full of hilarious memories instead of one more motel to file away in a list of boring accommodations. If this place sounds like somewhere you would enjoy (ie: you would also name your cat "Slutty Pants") then please message me- I'll give you all the details!

We finished our lackadaisical weekend with a road ride in the mist and a quick stop for ice cream on the way home. What a wonderful weekend.

8 Things To Do In Christchurch For Less Than $8

Sincere apologies for the lack of updates this week! We were in Queenstown for the last 6 days (this, I am not sorry about) and the wi-fi was atrocious. I would have loved to do a small photo post or a quick update about the race from hell 6 hour enduro, but the connection was even too poor for that. So, hiatus it was.

I have a ridiculous amount of photos to upload and sift through, and I will have to take some time to compose my most poignant thoughts (ha!) for my next few posts. But in the meantime....

I wrote another article for Expats Blog. This time, the topic was provided, and it is entered in their annual writing contest. The topic? Write your own "Top 10 Whatever to do Wherever" article. Like, Top 10 Museums To See in Paris, etc. Be creative.

I thought to myself, no problem! I've got this one in the bag. ...and then I started thinking about it. Be creative? Winners will be chosen by social media?... er... hm. I'm not so big on the social media.

After pondering, forgetting about it, and pondering some more, I decided I would write the best article I could about activities in Christchurch. After all, most travelers are downright wary about coming here at all. Christchurch is a pretty main hub on your South Island adventure though (ie: Hwy 1 travels through, and there's no easy way around it), so you may as well have a few ideas of what to do while you're here, right?

Coming up with things to do wasn't hard for me, and keeping them cheap wasn't hard either since Scott & I are pretty frugal with our hard earned money. But writing about it... a bit dry. Trying to make it entertaining without sounding like a cheap travel advert... impossible I think. Sandals Resorts may be calling any moment to offer me a job in sales.

Anyways, you can find my article here: Expats Blog Writing Contest March 2013. If you would like

to "vote" for me, you have to share my article on Facebook, Twitter, or Google. At the foot of the article there's a little "Help To Win" box, where you can share it. Comments help too, but they are really looking for the social media connections. Obviously, I would love it if anyone wants to do this; especially if you've found my article helpful in any way!

Alright, I'll leave you with a beautiful picture from our week. This is your reward for reading my article (now go do it!)

Lake Tekapo, New Zealand