nz day 5: christchurch

We really enjoyed staying at Lorenzo Motor Lodge in Christchurch.  The owner, Mike, was the best host we had on our whole trip!

Nathan's journal entry: "We got off to a slow start in Christchurch, but our lodging was great, partially because it was roomy and nice and mostly because of Mike, the owner of the place.  He had chilled water in the fridge and provided info on numerous eateries in the area.  He even gave us a ride to the train station when we left town."

The focal point of Christchurch is the beautiful cathedral in the city square.  We enjoyed visiting the cathedral and listening to the boys' choir perform evensong.  The choir sounded beautiful!

 Christchurch cathedral

Inside the cathedral

 

Wood carving inside cathedral.

Nathan's journal entry: "The Cathedral was nice, and it seemed more reverent and Christ-centered than the National Cathedral [in Washington, D.C.].  We attended the boy's choir evensong, and that was enjoyable."

Outside the cathedral, there was all kinds of activity - craft booths, food booths, and some old men playing the largest chess game we had ever seen.

 It's almost like wizard's chess!

We meandered around the Arts Centre where you can view artists working in their studios.  It was a cool building with lots of fun studios and shops.

 Arts Centre

The best part of Christchurch was the botanical gardens in Hagley Park.  We both loved spending the afternoon there.

Kristin's journal entry: "I'm so sleepy!  Christchurch got off to a bit of a rough start (more urban than we expected and an unsatisfying lunch), but we ended up having a wonderful time.  The gardens in Hagley Park were absolutely beautiful, and we saw lots of baby ducks.  We spent most of the afternoon meandering through the gardens and eating ice cream.  We finished off the afternoon by listening to a boy's choir perform evensong in the cathedral."

 Duckie!

Stream meandering around the park.  You can go canoeing or punting on the stream...looked like fun!

 Japanese water lily pond.

We need a backyard with this tree in it...it was just too fun.

 More duckies!

We really enjoyed two ducks that were sitting in a tree and performing the balcony scene from Romeo and Juliet.  They were so loud that we could hear them before we saw them!

"But soft!  What light through yonder window breaks?"

 "Deny thy father and refuse thy name!"

Nathan's journal entry: "...the best part of Christchurch was Hagley Park, and especially the rose garden.  That was the best rose garden I've ever seen!  They even had multiple varieties of purple roses.  Oh, and the other best part of Christchurch was the eggs benedict we had for breakfast."

 The rose garden.

 The sweetest sight in the rose garden...

If you ever go to Christchurch, here's what we recommend.  Stay at Lorenzo Motor Lodge and meet Mike (you'll love him!).  Spend the day in the park, eat a picnic and watch the ducks.  End your day with evensong in the cathedral!  It's a recipe for a delightful Christchurch day. :-)