Touring on Tram

Christchurch, December 26th 2015

You know me, I'm crazy of anything running on rails. That includes trams.

Christchurch's tram is more interesting than Auckland's. The route is many times longer, more to see along the way, and more types of tram.

The crews are extremely kind as well. Me, and some other guests, could consult our stops with them. I told them where I would like to go next, and then got advice of the nearest stop plus onward direction. All along the way, we were provided with information about the places we passed. Indeed, it's a Christchurch city tour to be called worthwhile.

Faces of Christchurch

Christchurch, December 26th 2105

The City of Christchurch with Aotearoa stretching above.

South Hagley Park in the morning.

Deep pink, dark pink, light pink, pale pink roses seemed to be struggling for a spot to show off.

St Michael and All Angels, first Anglican church in Christchurch.

Christchurch Art Gallery, the largest art institution in the South Island.

The YHA hostel where I stayed previous winter.

I still can hear it in my mind, birds chirping early morning in front of my window.

Natural alarm clock.

Isaac Theatre Royal

Earthquake was here.

Still rebuilding.

Looking forward to the bright future.

New Regent Street, designed in the Spanish Mission Revival Style.

I'll show you the trams later :D

Quick! The best food trucks in Re:START only lasts for a few hours.

A mixture between ice cream and milk shake with a homemade texture.

Avon River Walk

Christchurch, December 26th 2015

I had been constantly wondering, why don't those countries, why doesn't my country, support travel freaks in the way like Japan -- until I came to New Zealand. Similar (not exactly) to Japan, at bus terminals, train stations, hostels, you can easily get materials of information on places to visit, for free. Most people appear more than happy to provide you with further details. i-Site is the same thing as Japan's みどりの窓口.

On my last day during previous winter trip, I stuffed my suitcase with booklets and pamphlets related to my summer upcoming trip. Among them was "Avon River Walk". Based on that booklet alone, I could decide the route of my river walk and at which place along the route I would like to stop by. Accordingly, I booked a hostel located in between Avon River and the railway station. Thanks to Google Maps.

Antigua Boat Sheds

Wild flowers like these, were just everywhere all over the country.

Christchurch at a Very Short Glimpse

Christchurch, July 25th 2015

YHA Rolleston House

I had a little more than half an hour to hop on my shuttle to International Antarctic Centre, so I decided to take a couple of shots of the vicinity while the sky was blue.

Rolleston Avenue

Lucky me, the shuttle bus stop was just across my hostel in front of the Canterbury Museum.

Canterbury Museum

Let alone Canterbury Museum, i-Site which was just next to it, offered much to learn about. Well, New Zealand never runs short of that. The i-Site staffs were friendly and eager. I was allowed to leave my suitcase with them while I went for a walk to the botanic garden. Politely I told them that I wanted to enjoy the outdoors.

The botanic garden next to Canterbury Museum

Despite being winter, beds of flower still colored the sides of the path.

Actually I took a picture of this because of its unique feature, tall and yet seemingly not having a trunk. However, I learned that this is a century-old tree, which are only few left in New Zealand.

The Tudor-style Curator's House, built in 1920.

It is now used for dining and education.

Back to Rolleston Ave.

Penguins are Blue

Christchurch, July 25th 2015

Due to bad building structure engineering added to guests banging their doors through the night till dawn, I didn't have a good night sleep at my hostel. However, the best thing was I just needed to cross the street and get on this free shuttle towards International Antarctic Centre which is just across Christchurch International Airport.

Highlight of International Antarctic Centre is the penguins. Hence, it's the penguins who get on top of their shuttle bus.

And, highlight of the penguins is the Blue Penguins, the world's smallest penguin weighing around 1 kg and standing just over 25 cm.

 Each penguin here are named, tagged, and known in person.

The current residents of International Arctic Centre.

Each of them have their biography.

The keepers know them by name and remembers well what each of them are going through.

Such as this little Korora, Maori's name for Blue Penguin. She has a problem with her throat. Therefore, the keeper has to open her mouth and put her food (fish) inside.

Those who can eat on their own are just impatient to get their share.

They are all blue. But each of them have their own personality.

That's not something written in my fantasy, I mind you. It's written in that biography list above and on some other pages hung on the wall.

There are those who love to swim more than anything.

There are those who are natural wanderers. Like me? :D

But there are also those prefer to be an observer.

Copying the information board:

The Little Blue Penguin is a dark steely blue colour across its head and back. It is white on the breast and stomach.

The counter-shaded plumage makes it difficult for both marine and aerial predators to see the penguin when they are in the sea. when viewed from under the water the penguin's white underbelly lends into the lighter background. When viewed from above their blue back is a perfect camouflage against the dark sea below.

When they shake, they are not cold, but warm.

"See you later! I'm off to swimming lessons."