Christchurch - the city of gardens

This is, I guess, the 4th time I came to Christchurch and this time I have got totally different feelings about the city and have different experiences touring around the city.

I remember the first 2 or 3 times I came here, I had an unfriendly (no offense please) feeling of the city where I don't see many faces passing out courtesy smiles as they pass by. When I went out after work for dinner on the Riccarton road, there were only a few places open and mostly were closed. That was the only road or area I have strolled around during my first couple of visits and to make an idea of the whole city based on that much was not fair but even then I couldn't avoid having the wrong 'unfriendly' feeling.

This time, the 4th time, I got the time and conveyance to look around more of the city and, to be honest, I just loved the city and am feeling kind of bad for having a wrong assumption of the place in first place. But then that was just abt 1 street only :P

The most attractive thing I found and liked about the city is its old-fashioned buildings and architecture. The color-ful poles along the street, the brick streets, a small river Avon running through the city center and not to forget the beautiful trams that run through the city all day. The amazingly beautiful Arts Centre (the Old Christchurch College) building is a master piece of architecture, I must say. I just loved its corridors, the 'blue water' pool, and that piece of art work hanging in the air right in the middle of the main yard of the centre. Such a beautiful beautiful place to work/study. I would just love to study here if I could.

The old fashioned english style homes really give a nice touch to the surroundings (at least that's how I feel) and the different dressing styles of the people here: the funky, the cow-boy, the gangster's, the biker-boys and what not.

There was a nice dinner place, called Dux-de-Lux where my work-colleague, Phil Walsh, took me tonight. It was a very famous place as I have noticed that almost all of the tables were taken and people were standing in the queue waiting to order their food. Later I found out my guess was correct as the food was very nice and was more than enough for two people (like me and Phil who like to eat) :P

The quick walk through the center of the city, the Cathedral Square, was my favorite thing. There was the huge Cathedral right in the center of the square with loud sound of church bells, and in front of it there were two guys in the buffalo's costumes - don't know what were they doing there but it just added some nice affect and color to the whole scene. On the right of the Cathedral there was a colorful tram stopped there, on a tram-stop where you get onto the tram or get off it and take a walk around the city center.


On the left side of the church, there was a huge pole which was basically a nice piece of art as well made of metal with an open mouth on the top. It was a beautiful place to spend one of your nice and quiet evenings there, just sitting there on one of the benches and watching the world around sipping through your cold drink.


Around the square there are some very nice souvenir shops from where I bought a couple of NZ famous stone, jade and a small ring for SS and now I am hoping that she likes 'em :P I also have bought models of Christchurch Tram, I think they are beautiful and will add to the beauty of my living room - that I plan to decorate once I have my own place (somewhere in future - don't know when) :P DD (day dreamer) ? at least it is free :P


Umm.. I can write more about the city but for that I need to see more of it :P I may actually get to see more of it tomorrow and for that I have to sleep now, lolz. In short, unlike all my previous visits to Christchurch, I am loving it now and liking the place and I intend to come back again with SS :P (I'm not sure if I get time and a chance for that but will do if I get one).

Christchurch - Sorry for making a wrong assumption about you earlier !!!

Swimming

I am not a good swimmer because I never took any swimming lessons at all. I just wanted to learn it myself, like watch others, and do it yourself (the famous DIY approach :P - not very convincing example?).

If it was not SS, I would not have started going to pool regularly, so a big thanks to her for the push. I have always loved swimming, even in those times when I couldn't even swim one inch but this does not mean that you can't love a thing, right? So yeah I always wanted to swim but never could do for many reasons, mainly my laziness. But since I have started going to Lloyd Elsmore pool, I can now do one lap in one go :P (yeah it may be funny to someone who can swim fine but for me it is pretty good learning - so am happy). Today I tried to do reverse swim or back-swimming (whatever you call it) and I was amazed to see that I could do the half of the lap that way. I loved it.

Swimming is a lot of fun and good workout as well (well kind of). Plus you got to see and meet more people just like 2 days ago I met a guy who came to the pool with his 3 or 4 years old boy. He is from India and a very nice family. Today we went his place at dinner after swimming. His wife made very nice chicken biryani and some chicken gravy dish, the food was delicious. Had a good chat with them as well. So yeah I was saying that 'swimming is fun' ;) hehehe

We also bought the swimming goggles today and although it irritates me but it has a positive affect on the body movements under water because now you can open your eyes safely and see under water. It really helps improving confidence under water and swimming. Thanks again to SS to buy it for me otherwise I was not convinced to spend couple of bucks on 'em :P

After the efforts of almost a month now (during which I didn't go swimming every day though), I can swim across the lap in one go but my near future (say 2 weeks) target is to do the full round (go and return) in one go like without a pause or resting for a while. It will be then when I think I can say that I can swim (please please, let me say that much after this, thanks). I hope that I stay regular (at least 3/4 times a week) because this is the only physical activity that I am doing at the moment. Although I want to go running and gym as well but guess I'll have to keep something in the contingency bag as well for just in case I get bored from swimming :P

I think after writing (and reading if anyone is) all this, it is now quite evident and lucid that I do love swimming and that I want to continue it. Let's hope and see if that happens (I would like to be optimistic for now).