And we're off!

The comfortable seats...

When I first heard we might be moving to Japan, I mentally started a list of places we would vacation while we were on this side of the world.  New Zealand topped the list!  So it was with lots of excitement that we embarked on our 16 day trip.

We started in Christchurch, with connections in Shanghai & Auckland.  The Shanghai airport didn't really impress me, though walking through the terminal was incredibly interesting - I've never heard so many different languages spoken at one time.

Once in Christchurch we rented a car, and Steve drove for the first time in 5 months.  And he had to drive on the left side!  But he did great, other than turning on the wipers instead of the turn signal (I was just impressed he was trying to use the turn signal).  We pull up to our hotel, and the office is dark.  I remark that I told them we were coming in on a late flight....  Luckily, a man comes to answer my knock on the door (I think their living area was connected to the office).  I said I had a reservation, and he says he hopes not, because they are full and everyone has arrived.  This is not a good beginning to our trip!  Luckily, I have a printout of the reservation information, and he agrees we should have a room reservation.  After a few phone calls he's able to find us a spot at another hotel for the night, which they pay for.  It's only a few minutes away, and we're able to get settled.  The "replacement" hotel treats us well - we don't have to pay for parking and we don't have to pay a delivery fee for room service (it's after 11pm by the time we arrive at the replacement hotel, but after traveling over 24 hours, our stomachs are out of whack).  I discover something I haven't felt in a long time - air conditioning!  It's still my favorite invention after the printing press.  Japan (and Shanghai airport, too) seem to feel like all indoor rooms need to be heated to 80 degrees in the wintertime...and I prefer it to be on the cool side.  We're down in the southern hemisphere, so it's early autumn for them (and in the 60s at night in Christchurch) but I take advantage of the A/C to chill the room (though I was to find that was not a normal occurrence...).

Bike tour selfie!  No riders were harmed when taking this picture!

The next morning we have a bike tour around Christchurch.  We like to get a feel for a city (then Steve is usually an expert at making his way around), learn a little history, and get our blood flowing after sitting in planes for hours.  We're lucky - the day is sunny and 75 degrees (it feels just like all the pictures in the guide books).

Christchurch Cathedral

The Christchurch Cathedral is still being debated (argued?) about, and hasn't been repaired/replaced since the 2011 earthquake.  Unfortunately, an earthquake they had a couple weeks before we arrived caused more damage.  Apparently the framework that had been built to help support the remaining structure acted as a battering ram, and knocked down more of the walls.

Re:Start Mall

They've had fun with some of the rebuilding process - someone had the bright idea of turning the shipping containers into "temporary" shops, and it's grown since then (and may become permanent).  They've created an outdoor mall, and there are even restaurants and offices in some of them now.

Bridge viewed while on the bike tour - I see a quilting pattern here!

Steve's arm span is over 6 feet...

It's such a beautiful day we decide to walk around the world-famous botanical gardens.  They are gorgeous, and many flowers are in bloom.  They imported different plants & trees from around the world, and we're happy to see a piece of home with the redwood. 
 

Steve doesn't understand why our hydrangea at home aren't bigger than my head, like these.

After going back to some of the places we saw on the bike tour we decide to have a picnic dinner in the Botanical Gardens.

Our spread (don't worry, there's wine, too).

Across the street from the Botanical Gardens, the Arts Centre of Christchurch reminds me of Berry College...