Arriving in Christchurch

As we flew into Christchurch from our overnight layover in Auckland, we could see the rugged coastline and the distant Southern Alps, giving us tantalizing glimpses of sights we will see later in our travels. For the next few days, we are in the city of Christchurch on the South Island.

Walking around the city, we were struck by how much the architecture and trees and gardens are similar to California. There are the turn-of-the century clapboard homes, or else newer large-glass window houses like you might find in affluent coastal communities. Similar to California as it may have appeared to us, Christchurch was modeled on an English city, complete with it's own river Avon, bordered by weeping willow trees and punters taking tourists out.

We spent our first half-day walking through the botanical gardens and visiting the Canterbury Museum -- a treasure trove of displays about New Zealand's cultural and natural heritage.Read more