Written by Kim
Another day, another adventure! Today we docked in Lyttelton the port town for Christchurch. We took the complementary shuttle out of the port and picked up the local bus day pass for 6NZD ($3.40 US). The cruise line was charging $15 to go to town. We took the bus to our first stop the gondola. We bought a Citypass on Viator that gave us the main attractions in Christchurch.
The views from the top of the mountain were breathtaking. What a beautiful city. Grassy green mountains with quaint houses in the valleys and along the sea. Lots of sheep grazing on the sides of the mountain. After a look around and some pictures we went to catch the bus to downtown Christchurch. Our timing has been impeccable the last few days. Just as we got to the bus stop the bus came. I’m lucky to have a great travel agent, Alex, who researches all the logistics.
When we arrived downtown we found a tram stop and boarded the tram on the third try (the first 2 were full).
Christchurch is still in major recovery from the devastation of the earthquake on 22 February 2011. That earthquake leveled the city demolishing 1240 buildings, 2 cathedrals and killing 185 people. It’s been nearly 15 years and you can still see many empty lots and slow rebuilding. Riverside Market is a smaller version of Quincy Market in Boston or the Amish Market in Lancaster
The city was bustling not only due to the 4,000 passengers from our ship but it is also the busiest week due to show week and big horse races. The locals were decked out.
Our last attraction was a ride on the punting boats. Unfortunately, we got a thunderstorm so our ride was cancelled. The punting boats are like gondolas in Venice that take you on the Avon River.
When the rain came it was a torrential downpour so we ducked into Fat Eddies for a beer.
We finally made a run for it to get back to the bus which would take us back to the ship. Again our timing was perfect just as we walked up to the gate the bus pulled in and we headed back. When we got into the port city, Lyttelton, we saw cars with hail piled up on their windshields. It was crazy just a little up in the mountains they had a hail storm! We stole this picture off our FB group. Good thing we were rugged up with our jumpers! A little Aussie for you.
Tomorrow we are in Wellington. Until then….
