Mark works on his journal around 10:30AM in the Auckland domestic terminal, while we wait for the next plane to Christchurch

Second day, November 3:

Arrival in Christchurch

After a long night flight, we landed at the Auckland international terminal with only an hour or less till our flight down to Christchurch, on South Island. Unfortunately for our connection, there seemed to be only three immigration agents on duty; and there were a hell of a lot of folks waiting in line to be queried by them. One thing they were really worried about was to see that we had a return ticket. They’re happy to have immigrants to New Zealand, but they have a point system to pick out the most desirable ones, and I suspect that Mark and I wouldn’t score too high: too old and too unlikely to make new Kiwis.

The “Cultural” (tourist) district Big image; small

After what seemed like too long a wait, and when there remained less than a half-hour till our scheduled flight, we finally hopped onto a bus for the domestic terminal, and got there just about as our flight was closing its doors. Still had to go through security, of course. But the ticket agent was completely unflustered (in strong contrast to your doughty travelers) and just booked us onto the next flight, less than two hours later.

Mark among the tourists Big image; small

Rhododendrons growing luxuriantly Big image; small

The Avon in the Botanic Garden Big image; small

I slept better on the flight down to Christchurch, of about an hour and a half’s duration. We took a cab to our hotel, took our showers, had a quick (and unremarkable) lunch there, and went out walking. Mark was very sensible in suggesting that we shouldn’t take a nap: best to get onto New Zealand time as soon as we could.

There’s a “Cultural Precinct” right downtown, quite close to the hotel we were in, and we walked through it to the Botanic Garden, which is an unusually fine one. Big, well maintained, and with lots of variety. Not only that, we came right at the height of the rhododendron season. I was a bit disappointed that more of the specimens were not identified—for me at least, that greatly increases the enjoyment of a botanical park.

After the Botanic Garden, we walked back through the Cultural Precinct, which is partly a tourist trip and partly a gallery district. We decided to leave the galleries fore the next day (Sunday), but on the way back to the hotel, we spotted Annie’s Wine Bar and Restaurant, where we spent a very pleasant half-hour or so, chatting with one of the folks behind the counter and enjoying our first very fine New Zealand Pinot Noir.

On our way back to the hotel, we took a few pictures—I think you’ll find that Mark’s are a lot more interesting than mine. But what you see below are a street scene in Christchurch showing the little trolley that they have for tourists (big image, small); a charming terra-cotta statue (“Industry”) that Mark spotted in a niche of a building (big image, small), and a flowering tree that our guide Nicky identified for us later. The statue struck me as so typical of Christchurch: a very Victorian and Scottish city in its feel, comfortable and staid.

About the tree (big image, small), much more is to be said. It’s a Kowhai (pronounced ko-fie), Sophora microphylla, a legume, national tree of New Zealand, and a number of New Zealand birds like it especially. We saw a Wood Pigeon (kereru) stripping blossoms from one on one of our walks. It would be wonderful to have one in our own garden, but alas, it’s undoubtedly too hot and dry here.