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 !!!