I awoke Saturday morning to overcast drizzle. It was also fairly cold. That felt refreshingly & reassuringly like home. It seems I have got used to the Australian climate!
I arrived in Christchurch (New Zealand) on Friday night, after a good flight which included a sighting of a comet blazing through the dusky southern hemisphere atmosphere with increasing awesome presence (now that is poetry!). It could have been a difficult evening after getting late for my flight (being the last one to check in, only 70 mins before departure) & arriving in Christchurch at midnight by myself, with no money, & with nowhere to lay my head. Thankfully, the services at Christchurch airport do not have an expiry time & remain efficient until late into the evening, unlike some other airports. So I booked into a cosy hostel, met some other backpackers from my flight & went out for a cool beer at a trendy local bar. The evening had a good vibe, as we all navigated the adjustment to new surroundings together - something that can be unsettling when a solo traveller. It turned into a late night, but a good one.
My last week in Australia was a very busy, but also very satisfying one. It included meeting many of my Melbourne rellies at a family BBQ, trying my hand at mixing a cocktail 'Tom Cruise style' at Phil's bar, & Nathaniel's (my nephew, once removed... I think?) 5th birthday party - pirate theme. I also soaked up some of the Melbourne night life in some trendy bars, & supped a full dose of Australian culture in Federation Square, at the art museum, & later a 'Chicken Parma' at a cafe. I had several tasty meals in the week including Nepalese cuisine in town (some of my family lived in Nepal for a few years) & tender, tender lamb at the place of my other uncle & aunt.
On Tuesday I went to the Australian Open, hoping to see Andy Murray play (in what turned out to be an empathatic win) but unfortunately due to the soaring temperatures (45c & higher) his game was moved & I didn't realise. They didn't start any play until 8pm & then made sure all the days play was completed, resulting in games going on past 1am - still in heats of well over 30c!
I also found a bit of time for some work, to bulk up the piggy bank a little more!
Well, on to Christchurch... somebody told me today that summer ranges anything from 5 to 35c - quite a variation. It has been a very good weekend, which is awesome as it had the massive potential to be a 'graveyard slot'.
After a lie-in on Saturday I checked out the town & some of the sights. A Cathedral, the Avon river, the Botanic gardens, & the tram all combine with some beautiful architecture & quality town planning to make it a charming place. The population is about 300,000 strong & I am beginning to reckon this is the perfect size for a city - big enough to have a fair amount going on & feel busy, but small enough to feel you get to know it, & for people to be friendly.
Christchurch is described as the most English of New Zealand's towns & so that is good. But, I definitely sense a strong celtic influence... from the 'twang' in the accents, to the climate & scenery; from the architecture, to the slightly more friendly than English vibe - to me, this is Scotland down under. It certainly seems like the southern hemispheres celtic cousin to Australia. There was a noticeable difference in peoples attitude compared to Australia - just as laid back & uber friendly, but in a more cosy manner (hard to describe). Perhaps mirroring a variations within the UK!?
Anyway, I have enjoyed getting lost (kind of on purpose... in that I was in no rush to 'find myself' again) round the town, on the banks of the river & in the gardens. It is maybe a bit sad, but I have quite enjoyed some JR solo down time. Probably very good before a crazy few weeks. I also checked out the history museum, art gallery, & watched 'The Queen' at a tiny retro cinema! I also went to church today & it was good to meet a couple of really friendly guys there tonight. The 'World Buskers Festival' is currently being held in Christchurch & so it has been very entertaining to see some of the acts performing from all over the world. They are very good at what they do, & though street performers can sometimes be frustrating I reckon they are mostly good value, just seeking to make an honest living.
Tomorrow I meet Anneli & Paul at the airport & we head off on a week of fast paced travelling of the South Island. Will let you know how that goes.
I arrived in Christchurch (New Zealand) on Friday night, after a good flight which included a sighting of a comet blazing through the dusky southern hemisphere atmosphere with increasing awesome presence (now that is poetry!). It could have been a difficult evening after getting late for my flight (being the last one to check in, only 70 mins before departure) & arriving in Christchurch at midnight by myself, with no money, & with nowhere to lay my head. Thankfully, the services at Christchurch airport do not have an expiry time & remain efficient until late into the evening, unlike some other airports. So I booked into a cosy hostel, met some other backpackers from my flight & went out for a cool beer at a trendy local bar. The evening had a good vibe, as we all navigated the adjustment to new surroundings together - something that can be unsettling when a solo traveller. It turned into a late night, but a good one.
My last week in Australia was a very busy, but also very satisfying one. It included meeting many of my Melbourne rellies at a family BBQ, trying my hand at mixing a cocktail 'Tom Cruise style' at Phil's bar, & Nathaniel's (my nephew, once removed... I think?) 5th birthday party - pirate theme. I also soaked up some of the Melbourne night life in some trendy bars, & supped a full dose of Australian culture in Federation Square, at the art museum, & later a 'Chicken Parma' at a cafe. I had several tasty meals in the week including Nepalese cuisine in town (some of my family lived in Nepal for a few years) & tender, tender lamb at the place of my other uncle & aunt.
On Tuesday I went to the Australian Open, hoping to see Andy Murray play (in what turned out to be an empathatic win) but unfortunately due to the soaring temperatures (45c & higher) his game was moved & I didn't realise. They didn't start any play until 8pm & then made sure all the days play was completed, resulting in games going on past 1am - still in heats of well over 30c!
I also found a bit of time for some work, to bulk up the piggy bank a little more!
Well, on to Christchurch... somebody told me today that summer ranges anything from 5 to 35c - quite a variation. It has been a very good weekend, which is awesome as it had the massive potential to be a 'graveyard slot'.
After a lie-in on Saturday I checked out the town & some of the sights. A Cathedral, the Avon river, the Botanic gardens, & the tram all combine with some beautiful architecture & quality town planning to make it a charming place. The population is about 300,000 strong & I am beginning to reckon this is the perfect size for a city - big enough to have a fair amount going on & feel busy, but small enough to feel you get to know it, & for people to be friendly.
Christchurch is described as the most English of New Zealand's towns & so that is good. But, I definitely sense a strong celtic influence... from the 'twang' in the accents, to the climate & scenery; from the architecture, to the slightly more friendly than English vibe - to me, this is Scotland down under. It certainly seems like the southern hemispheres celtic cousin to Australia. There was a noticeable difference in peoples attitude compared to Australia - just as laid back & uber friendly, but in a more cosy manner (hard to describe). Perhaps mirroring a variations within the UK!?
Anyway, I have enjoyed getting lost (kind of on purpose... in that I was in no rush to 'find myself' again) round the town, on the banks of the river & in the gardens. It is maybe a bit sad, but I have quite enjoyed some JR solo down time. Probably very good before a crazy few weeks. I also checked out the history museum, art gallery, & watched 'The Queen' at a tiny retro cinema! I also went to church today & it was good to meet a couple of really friendly guys there tonight. The 'World Buskers Festival' is currently being held in Christchurch & so it has been very entertaining to see some of the acts performing from all over the world. They are very good at what they do, & though street performers can sometimes be frustrating I reckon they are mostly good value, just seeking to make an honest living.
Tomorrow I meet Anneli & Paul at the airport & we head off on a week of fast paced travelling of the South Island. Will let you know how that goes.
2 comments:
dude, wish i was in NZ with u guys- sounds amazing! thinkin of u- love jen x
hey buddy...
just caught up on your news for the first time in a while, good to find out what you've been doing. Thanks very much for your postcard...
i'm doing ok, very busy, have applied to do a primary PGCE at leics next year and have an interview on 6th feb! seems like i wanna be a teacher...
just been reading philipians 4v10-13 and am thinking about the great importance of being content in Christ... check it out and have a think about it some time in the busyness of your travels. hope you're well bro
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