Christchurch Day III

Today we went and took our rented car.  This is because my sister is due to arrive from Australia later at night ^_^ So we must get the car today even though we enjoy walking around in the cold weather ^_^ My dad rented a Mitsubishi 380 ES which is a 3 litre car and it is powerful and splendid to drive. I love the car and wanted to take it home but it don't seem to fit in my bag -_-"

 

We had a quite lunch and took a drive to the Christchurch Gondola and along Governors Bay Road where we can see the view is beautiful. Along the winding road, there are a lot of housing area but it is called small towns there. The houses are beautiful. We stop a few times along the road just to take pictures. Here is a picture of the clear blue sea.

 

As we drove further along the road, we saw sheeps on the hill. There were so many of them and I can hear them "talk".

 

We continued our journey till we reach the top of the hill where there is a rest area called Sign of the Kiwi. We stop there to enjoy the beautiful sight of the city. There was also a sign there which tells us how high above sea level we are.

 

 

After resting a while, we went down the hill and came to another building called Sign of the Takahe. We couldn't go in the building for it was under renovation. Along the way down the hill, there are some schools there. The school kids have just finish their day in school and are going home. The student themselves manages the traffic for crossing while being monitored by a teacher. The student that helps with controlling the traffic are as young as 7-8 years of age.

After a long drive along the coastal area, we stopped at Christchurch Gondola station for a rest. I thought of going up the gondola to see the view from the top but my dad told me it is bout the same as what we saw in Sign of the Kiwi. The price to get on the gondola is NZ$22 for adults. I forgot to ask them if there is student price for the ride. Unfortunately I was just blur for not remembering to ask or I'm just scared of the Kiwis. (The people of New Zealand are called Kiwis) I manage to take pictures of the gondola going up the hill. There is also a sign which states how far come countries are.

 

After a long day out, we went back to rest whike waiting for my mum to come back. When she came back, we went out for dinner and rest. When it was 10.30pm, we went to the airport to pick my sister who was flying in from Australia. When she arrived, she say that it isn't that cold in New Zealand -_-" But she bought me my Bumblebee which transform into the new Camaro ^_^

 

Christchurch Day II

My mum woke up early and meet up with her Australian friends, Heather and Dr Trisha and walk to the convention centre. I woke up quite late which is bout 10.30am. We then head off to Botanic Garden which was bout 10-15 minutes walk. It was cold in the morning where we walk through their post office to gain some warm ^_^ It was also drizzling at that time so we detour to the Canterbury Museum first which was beside the garden.

 

We were there for bout an hour and when we came out, the sun was shining brightly but the air was still chilly. We then walk round Botanic Garden and look at the flowers. The flowers are beautiful and the trees are like ancient for they are so tall and the trunk is so thick.

  

In the middle of the garden is a Rose Garden but the roses haven't blossom yet. In the middle of the rose garden there is a structure which can tell time. It is actually acurate for I tried telling time with it and check my watch ^_^

As we walk further, there were small houses where they keep the plants inside. Besides that, there was a room filled with all kinds of Orchids and also Cactus. There was a fern house also where ferns grow in there. By the time we reach the other end of the garden, it was bout nearly 1pm and my dad decided that we go to the cafe there and have our lunch.  It was hard to decide what to eat for there were all sandwiches. These are the things we shared out and eat.

 

Once full, we continue our walk around the garden. We came across a lot of ducks there. (I think Daniel would be happy to meet his so-called relatives here) The ducks were everywhere near the lake and the river which flows throught the city. As we walk, there was a big group of school students who were heading for either their rugby or soccer training and they were mostly in shorts. How do they restand the cold???

 

There were a lot of daffodils in the garden and it was Daffodils Day on either the 31 August of 1 September. The taxi driver told us this when he drove us to the hotel. After that, as we reach the entrance of the garden, I saw a tram passing by. The tram goes around the Cathedral Center.

   

We then head off to the Art Gallery which I enjoyed myself looking at some beautiful paintings and also I did a jigsaw puzzle at the kids area. By the way, the puzzle for kids is not easy. It is for parents to guide them. I did it on my own with my dad shaking his head looking at me play with it ^_^ On my way back, I pass by a cute cafe which is call Green Turtle Cafe and Bar ^_^

 

It was near evening when we reach back to the hotel. We waited for my mum to come back before we head off for dinner. We had KFC but their whipped potato is called potato and gravy and it doesn't taste as nice as the one here ^_^ After dinner we walk round a little around the hotel before calling it a day.

Christchurch Day I

After a long wait, I finally found some time to blog bout my trip to Christchurch, New Zealand. It would be in parts which I divide it to the amount of days I was there. But please be patience for I can't do it all in a day ^_^

I went to Christchurch with my family for my mum has a conference there. We flew from Penang to Christchurch via SIA. We departed from Penang at 10.30am and reached Singapore for transit at 12noon. Then we were stuck in Changi Airport (pronounce with the "h" sound missing) for 7 hours -_-" SO MUCH time to kill. So we went for a free tour around Singapore which I fell asleep due to the bullshit. The guide can't even say Malaysia. When he talk about neighbouring country, he choose the farthers and would not even name Malaysia.

Moving on. It was bout nearly 8pm that we board the 10+ flight to Christchurch. The food was fantastic on the way there. I love the breakfast the most. Just look at it:

There were a lot of movies to be watch but I kinda watch till got bored so I took out the camera again and took a picture of myself and also the view outside the window. Notice the snow on the window???

 

We finally reach Christchurch and it was drizzling there. The temperature was minus zero -_-" As I talk, I can see vapor coming out of my mouth. It is so cool ^_^ We then took the cab to Rydres
Hotel which was situated in Cathedral Square. It is the center of town and everything was within walking distance.

Later in the evening, I went out with my parents as my brother slept in the room. We went out looking for the Convention Centre where my mum would be attending her conference. I was surprise how close it was but with the wind blowing and it was still drizzling, it was freaking cold. My ears was frozen and my bone is shivering. I was wearing a thick jacket and a winter jacker over my t-shirt. Here is a picture of the Connection Bridge at the Convention Centre.

There was nothing much that we did for the first day for we were just settling down and adjusting to the 4 hours jetlag. So we turn in to sleep early. I got the sleep on this beautiful big bed ^_^