Other trip days
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Leaving Queenstown
Got up at 6 AM and had the bags out at 6:30 AM. Got to breakfast a little before 6:45 AM but because of the big crowd of banzai tourists we were in the back dining room. The young couple gave us a phone card that still had some time on it but the Kwut was not able to get it to work to call M and Bear. Left the Parkroyal at 7:30 AM and Les drove us to the airport. Jann gave us each a nice New Zealand post card. We waited inside the gate since it was raining outside. Because there were few opportunities to have the entire group together, we had a meeting to discuss the Aussie optional tour. Got the forms to make selections and the NZ departure forms.
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Queenstown to Christchurch Flight
Got on the charter time, this time me in 8A and Kwut sat in 8B. There was a different crew this time on the plane. The meal on the plane was a bun with some cold cuts, cheese, carrots and lettuce. It was a much shorter flight this time. The view was completely overcast so we did not see Mt. Cook. As we descended we finally broke through the clouds and saw the flat plains of Cantebury. We landed in Wigram, which was not Christchurch’s main airport, but was a former AF base. Saw an Andover (transport plane) and a cheap lady. Driver Ian was waiting for the plane too. Waited inside the (Tauck) terminal with lots of old aviation relics until they loaded the luggage on the bus
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Christchurch Morning Sightseeing
Eventually we got on the bus and rode through the Cashmere neighborhood going uphill with views overlooking Christchurch. Across over the top of the hills south of the city, and to a view overlooking the harbor. Went back down the hills to Victoria Park and the NCG restaurant, Sign of the Takahe. Victoria Park was the location of Brickhead and saw a Boris. Continued back to town for sightseeing at the Christchurch Cathedral.
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Christchurch Botanical Gardens, Museum and Lunch at Arts Centre
Stopped at the Arts Centre and the Christchurch Museum for lunch and sightseeing. We went to the museum first, then to Le Cafe for lunch. I had the Caesar salad and Kwut had lambburger. Then we went to the shops at the Arts Centre where I got M’s jade and Kwut got some stamps. While we were off the bus a lunch, they unloaded the luggage at the Crowne Plaza hotel.
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Christchurch Afternoon Shopping
We checked into the Crowne Plaza . Kwut tried to do laundry but the washers were already taken, so we went downtown. Catching the tram and getting a two day pass for $12.50. Rode to the Cathedral to take pictures and walked to lower Columbo Street to do some shopping. Ran into Jann walking along the street. Did not see any souvenir shops but stopped for afternoon coffee. Went back to the hotel because Kwut wanted to wash clothes instead of going to Jann’s get together at 5:45 PM at the Oxford Carvery. Washed clothes from 5:45-7:45 PM while I took a nap.
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Christchurch Evening
Afterwards we went out again to try and find the souvenir shops next to the cathedral. This time we waited and the tram did not show up, so we walked to Columbo Street north of the cathedral and ran into a bunch of souvenir shops. I bought a tea cloth and an NZ mug for Bear. Started back for the hotel, looking for a place for dinner on the way back. Ended up at the Oxford Carvery. I ate the lamb and veggie plate. Continuing on the way back to the hotel we saw a Burmese restaurant. Kwut wanted to get some drinks before going back to the hotel so we went past the Crowne Plaza and ound a 24 hr grocery on Victoria Street near the hotel, next to the Cajun restaurant. Finally got back to the hotel. I used the Queenstown postcard that Jann gave us to write to M and Bear, because the Kwut wanted to save the Mt. Cook postcard that Jann gave us-and took it to the front desk to get it mailed.
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