Trip to Christchurch

This past week we took a 4-day trip to the city of Christchurch on the South Island. There is a possibility of our moving to Christchurch in 6 months time or so which is partly why we wanted to go and get a feel for the city. I would say it reminded me of a very scaled down, smaller, and more quaint version of New York City. There is quite a bit of Gothic architecture in the city, which Rob and I love, so we quite liked the feel of it. There are a number of buildings dating back to the early 1800's (which is when Christchurch was established and settled) which gives the city a historic feel. The landscape on the South Island is quite different from the North. There are mountains on the South, not big ones like you see on the West Coast, but not hills either. Besides doing some of the touristy things we drove around some of the surrounding neighborhoods to get a feel for where we might want to live if we do end up moving there. Our overall impression, charming city, wouldn't mind living there for a few years. Now we just need to get some of you to come over for a visit!

Christchurch Cathedral, at the center of downtown, Cathedral Square.

The altar of the cathedral.

The first bishop of Christchurch--or the remains of.





A marble relief--I thought the detail on it was amazing close up, but unfortunately you can't really tell from this pic, sorry.


I am enamored with stained glass windows, but restricted myself to posting this one pic. Beautiful though. The cathedral had dozen of stained glass windows featuring various biblical scenes.
Inside view of Christchurch Cathedral from the entrance. Located in the center of downtown at Cathedral Square.
There is a museum in Christchurch featuring all kinds of original artifacts, clothing, daily living/household items, toys, etc. from the early 1800's. This is suppose to be an original dollhouse from that period. I don't think the pics quite do it justice, but the detail, intricacy, and the quality of the craftsmanship that went into making this was unlike anything you would ever see at a toy store today.

Floating down the Avon River in our gondola.

Grace is less than pleased here, but I thought she looked sweet with this big blanket over her that was in the boat.
Feeding the duckies while going down a gondola on the Avon River.


Just cuz


Botanical Gardens
This is a close up of part of a cool sculpture that was in the Botanical Gardens. At least I thought it was cool. It is called 'Regret'. The following two photos are of it as well. I think it is made of copper (could be wrong). There is a lot of detail, especially on the masks, of which there is a close up below.

Panned out view of 'Regret'.
The girls and I outside Botanical Gardens in downtown Christchurch.