Day Nineteen … Time for the adventure to end

 

Today was the last day of our epic South Island adventure. After 19 days of travelling it was time to pack everything back into the suitcase, zip it closed, and hope that we would be under the allocated weight allowed by Jetstar. We had plans for the morning though, so we packed up, checked out and left our luggage at the hotel while we went out to explore. First stop - yummy scones for breakfast at the busy cafe at Turanga (Auckland Library).

Ian had mapped out three Ad Labs for us to complete. One was about engineering marvels, one through the Botanic Gardens and the last was another wander along the Avon River.

The engineering Ad Lab allowed us to visit some buildings throughout the city and learn a little bit more about the earthquake safety measures they have put into place to hopefully mimimise earthquake damage in the future. They have added vibration shockers to underground car parks that absorb the shock waves, they have added concrete to metal support bars for added strength, there are large metal plates and bolts hugging some of the historic buildings (such as the university) and there are metal bars that run through buildings effectively skewering them together.

The Botanical Gardens are an amazing space within easy walking distance of the city. The beds at the main entrance were full of colourful flowers, there was a stunning rose garden (that we couldn’t explore as they had been spraying and so had it closed off), there was a beautiful Dahlia bed, filled with different colours, sizes and types of dahlias, awash with colour. There were large expanses of tree lined lawns, and the rocky river edges of the Avon River, sometimes with ornate bridges allowing crossing from one side to the other. One of our Ad Lab clues took us to a swimming/paddling pool for children that is free to use. The locals obviously love it as it was packed today (on a beautiful summery day with an expected temperature in the low 30s). There was a wonderful series of glasshouses within the gardens … one filled with tuberous begonias, another with orchids, one with cacti and succulents and the final one filled with a wild rainforest of indoor plants. Each was like wandering through a wonderland of colour and visual sensation.

As we wandered, finding and completing our clues, we saw the World Peace Bell which was made from coins from over 130 countries that had been melted with copper. We saw so many ducks along the river (and did our best to negotiate all of the droppings they graciously left behind). There were a number of sculptures within the gardens … from beautiful and poignant to the utterly ridiculous (the wrestling men and the diving board).

Crossing over the river we sat and watched the punting excursions which leave from the Antigua Boat Sheds. Up to ten people are seated in a flat boat which is then punted along the river by a smartly dressed punter providing commentary as they travel. It was very olde-English, especially when the punters tipped their boater hats to those of us watching on the bridges above.

One of our Ad Lab stops was the memorial wall built on the river’s edge to commemorate the 185 people who lost their lives as a result of the 2011 Earthquake. Many of them were oversea students learning English at an international school. The names of those lost are carved into the marble wall, many names written in other languages … Arabic, Chinese, Korean, Japanese and many others. At the bottom of the wall some families have left their own personal tributes. Both Ian and I were left teary after visiting.

The visual reminders of the series of earthquakes that rocked Christchurch are frequent as you wander the city. Buildings being repaired (especially the cathedral), empty city lots used for nothing more than car parking, an old staircase to nowhere cordoned off with safety fencing. More than 10 years on and Christchurch is still healing and rebuilding. Vibrant art work helps fill some of the void left.

We ended our time in Christchurch wandering the city streets, poking noses into the Riverside Market, eating a gelato (Ian had Mr Mint Chip and I had Love Me Tinder). We watched the scenic tram rattle by, listened to the buskers and admired the incredible graffiti art that adorns many walls.

We headed back to our accommodation to gather our luggage and to meet the driver that Arun had organised to take us to the airport. Akbar was there waiting and whisked us safely to the airport where we did a final luggage shuffle (dang 20 kg limit per person when you have hiking boots, shoes and poles).  Checked in and with boarding passes allocated we stopped to grab lunch before doing the international airport dance … security, immigration (I love those e-gates) and running the duty free gauntlet.

Our flight was unadventurous … a quick hop across the ditch … we sat next to a lovely lady whose husband was across the aisle. They fed us half of their cheese and ham toasties whilst we reassured the lady we would be ok when turbulence hit. She was a chatty soul … telling me about her family, her grandchildren that they were going to visit in Melbourne. Wanted to know if we were going to visit our grandchildren too … so clearly this trip has aged us both!

So we are home now. I have unpacked and Ian has fired up the computer to download all of his work emails overnight. We have had a wonderful trip. Our bodies have held up although I think one more day may have been too much for Ian’s ankle. Now to start thinking about the next trip …

Today’s tally … 

Photos taken … 278

Steps walked … 17,738

Kms walked … 13.54 km

Ad labs completed … 3 (taking our total in Christchurch to 6)

E