Apr 8th: Coming into Christchurch

 Day 5: (Day 1 in New Zealand)

Our flight from Singapore was another overnight. Another with very little sleep made worse by a screaming baby just a few rows behind. So much for settling down early. Instead, it was watch a movie to block out the noise. 

We landed at 9:30am and sought out a taxi to our hotel. Another helpful driver but I felt as if he had ripped us off a bit. Sure enough, the hotel receptionist recommended Uber who we later found were less than half what our guy had charged.

Our hotel (and Queen Victoria’s posterior!)

As expected our room was not ready until 2pm so after storing our bags with reception we went for a tour of the city. It didn’t take long as it isn’t large. 

We met a couple in Singapore who were from Christchurch. They had just called home and learned the temperature was the same - except in Fahrenheit l! That would have made it about 3 degrees centigrade. In fact it was in the high twenties but much less humid than in Asia. 

We came across a wall in the Botanical Gardens which was a memorial to the 185 victims of the 2011 earthquake this city suffered. Very nicely done beside a river. 

The gardens themselves were lovely. We were particularly taken by an enormous eucalyptus tree.

After checking in to our room we walked around the corner and ate South American. As you do. 

Beef espetinho