Christchurch – my heart goes out to this town as I stare at the broken down facade of the Iconic Cathedral building, situated in Cathedral Square, once the hub of action and revelry in the city. Restoration work is on, but a pace which is more slow than steady. The city was attempting to get back to its feet, but is still far from its pre earthquake glory. Signs of the resilient spirit are evident everywhere, for eg. at the Restart Mall, the unique shipping container retail area, brightly coloured and housing several top retail brands in a cool funky city environment. The Quake City museum located nearby which commemorates the earthquake incidents which changed the lives of thousands of city inhabitants forever. Memoires from the 2 fateful days allow you to relive the disaster in your mind scene by scene, and also empathise with the people of Christchurch.
Another must do in the city is the Antarctic Centre, which is a pleasure for the explorers at heart, as the experiences include the ‘Antarctic Storm’, the Hagglund all-terrain vehicle, the ‘Penguin Encounter’, and the new “Extreme Theatre” featuring a movie with 4D special effects. Visiting the Antarctic Center is the next best thing to being there, and ofcourse, a lot cheaper.
Try not to miss the fine dining experience at the Curators House, with stunning views of the Avon river and Botanical Gardens. Set in beautiful garden surroundings, the restaurant has superb hospitality. The food with subtle Spanish influence is excellent, the portions are generous and you won’t like to skip the dessert, so best if you indulge in some lazy punting on the Avon after the meal. It’s a short 5 minute walk away, which will help to work off the food. Later, if you want to know more about ethnic New Zealanders or Maori tribes lifestyle, do not miss the Ko Tane Maori Cultural Performance in the evening at the Willowbank Wildlife Reserve.
If you have adequate time, there are so many attractions in the areas within easy access from Christchurch, popularly known as Canterbury Trails, and you can easily spend a fortnight in the region, and still keep discovering more. Drive up North, and do some Speed Jet Boating in the Waiau River valley. A little further up is the Thermal Pools of Hanmer Springs, set in a natural reserve, surrounded by forests and mountains and with the facility of fourteen open-air Sulphur pools. You can also pamper yourself at the inhouse Spa Facility thereafter. It’s a perfect place for rejuvenating yourself.
Of you enjoy going out to the sea, the Kaikora region has great opportunities for Whale Watching and Swimming with the Dolphins. However, you have to have an appetite for sitting in a boat for a few hours. The sea can get rough at times and weather plays an important part in the process. Even if the Gods are on your side, the Dolphins and Whales still may not oblige. So – yes it is a great experience to see the Sperm Whale tipping its tail before taking that final dive into the ocean, but do come loaded with a lot of patience and a strong gut, when you go for the activity.
Ii would be unfair of me to end this without throwing light on one of the most important factors influencing the holiday experience – FOOD! It came as a surprise to me that the New Zealanders were quite fond of Indian food. Many of them cooked Indian at home as a routine, though I have no doubt it must be a tempered down version of the ‘Curry’. Whatever the case, it was a revelation, and so was the fact that there were an adequate number of Indian restaurants throughout the country. I must give a special mention to some dining places which left their impression on the canvas of my memory. There is the Marble Point Winery where you can eat delicious food, and do wine tasting, while overlooking breathtaking views over the Waiau River valley. Another great joint is the Spice Paragon, which will seduce and surprise the palette with subtle flavours of traditional Thai cuisine, fused with the boldness of modern cooking. Lastly, if you enjoy Seafood, I do recommend the wonderful Green Dolphin Restaurant in Kaikora, which can put a Michelin Star Restaurant to shame.
For those of you, who would normally have skipped Christchurch in the itinerary thinking that there may not be enough to do there – think again! Christchurch will pleasantly surprise you with its varied experiences and character. With so many unique experiences to savor, it was impossible not to fall in love with New Zealand, and the Canterbury Trails in particular.
It is true that all good things come to an end, and so does every dream vacation, but this trip has left me longing for more. So I’ll be back – and it’s only a matter of time before…..
