The Wandering Chocoholic

I’ve made it to Christchurch, the south island’s largest city and my last stop in New Zealand. I’ll be here for a few nights before I fly to Australia. It’s a pretty city – more of a large town, actually, with about 300,000 people – and “veddy veddy English”, as some might say. Cathedral Square, the main square, is of course dominated by Christchurch Cathedral. There are lots of cafes, shops, art galleries and the like. Plenty to keep busy with for a few days.

Yesterday, I went rafting on the Rangitata river. It’s one of the few places in the world where there are Class V rapids at all water levels. It was a real adrenaline rush, and very very wet. And cold. The river’s water is all glacial runoff, so it was very freezing going for a bit of a swim, as some of the boats did who flipped over in the rapids. We managed to stay upright, but just barely. Definately good fun.

On the way back from Geraldine to Christchurch, the bus broke down, so we got a bit of an unexpected stop at a pub while the rafting guides sorted out their options. They ended up tying the bus to one of their vans and pulling it along until they got up to a high enough speed to allow the bus to get into top gear, because the clutch was broken. Then they let go of the rope, and the bus apparently made it back to Christchurch without hitting a single stop or red light. Only in New Zealand.

I’m off to explore the city. Till next time!