Where to get Information and Bookings
by Kakapo2
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Already the airport is a fantastic place to get information, and make bookings for accommodation and activities. They have two fantastic info stands there, at the international and domestic terminal. I am also a regular visitor of the official i-site on Cathedral Square.
Although I live here I often go to the i-sites and check about new attractions, normally by browsing the extensive stands with brochures and flyers. I also make sure that I have the latest touring maps and accommodation guides (AA, Jason's). All those kilos of paper are free, so why not take advantage of it?
As said, already upon arrival at the airport you should not just rush through the halls but get information material or talk with the staff, or book activities.
Other good sites are the fabulous i-site and the two facilities of the Adventure Centre around Cathedral Square, one located at the north-east corner next to Naturally New Zealand, and the other one opposite the Airport Bus stop (94 Worcester Street). They do not charge booking fees.
Phone numbers:
Cathedral Square (03) 366 0302
Worcester Street (03) 377 7100
Also: http://www.adventures.net.nz
On Cathedral Square (#47) you also find Backpackers World Travel where you can get help. Plus, if you plan to spend several months in the country you can check if a departing backpacker sells his car cheaply.
Phone (03) 379 8153
Internet: http://www.backpackersworld.com
Not to forget your accommodation. The front desk staff at your hotel, motel or backpackers are happy to help you with advice and bookings.
The early History of Christchurch (3)
by Kakapo2
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The increase in the number of people living in the city led to serious public health problems. From 1872-75 there were epidemics of diptheria and whooping cough every year, and in the typhoid epidemic 152 people died in Christchurch in 1875/76. These diseases are all diseases of poverty - poor food and unhealthy living conditions.
Christchurch in 1876 was a polluted city. It had a good supply of artesian water from huge reserves of water deep under the city, but the waste of the city ran into the Avon and Heathcote rivers (well, sometimes it still happens today LOL). Kitchen waste and chamber pots were emptied into channels running along the sides of the streets, and manure from the animals that provided the transport in the city just added to the problem.
A system of drains was needed but the iron pipes had to come from overseas and were expensive. Christchurch had to wait until the 1880s for an underground sewerage system, but it was the first in New Zealand to have one.
In November 1876 the different provincial councils throughout New Zealand were replaced by a system of town boards, boroughs, road and harbour boards.
Canterbury had been one of the more successful provinces. By 1876 the city of Christchurch had a population of over 12,000 in the central city and another 10,000 in the suburbs.
In 1877 the railway station opened. A railway line went north to Amberley. By 1878 it reached Dunedin in the south. In 1880 steam trams began operation from Cathedral Square to the railway station.
Suntanning and Picnicking at the Sports Ground
by Kakapo2
If the Black Caps - the national team - do not play the ninetieth test against Sri Lanka or whichever team in AMI Stadium (formerly: Jade Stadium) cricket takes place in other locations and all summer. The Canterbury team - the Wizards - play in the State Championship (State Shield), the games take place either on the Oval in South Hagley Park or at the Cricket Ground (Village Green) at QE II (Queen Elizabeth II) Park between Burwood and North New Brighton.
It helps to have some cricket knowledge if you want to attend a game, especially if you plan to go to a test match which normally takes five days (and ends in a draw...) on the fourth day but one of the teams is so bad that it is over after three days... If you have no idea what a wicket or a century is, or even a LBW decision, or why they could not find different words for the wicket a team scores and the wicket area on which the wickets, made up of wooden poles and sticks, stand - do not despair, there will always be some friendly and patient New Zealanders who will explain why some balls are wide or which bowler is a spinner.
If you are a cricket novice it is best to start with a 20/20 game. This is the speediest game. 20/20 means that each team plays only 20 overs. Six balls is one over. (And BTW... The bowlers do not throw but bowl...) So each team has 120 balls to bowl. In a "normal" game each team has the maximum of 50 overs (300 balls), and this can last a day. That is why such games are called One Day Games. Easy, isn't it? The five day games are called test matches - and are no "tests" at all but very important and the real thing. If the game does not take place in a big stadium like AMI which has allocated seats the best thing is to pack most of the things you would also take to a day out on the beach. This might include blanket, folding chair, chilly bin with food and drinks, sun cream, hat, sunglasses, long sleeve shirts and long trousers for the case you do not want to get burnt after five hours in the sun. Some people also take something to read with them. In this case it helps to camp near an expert who warns you when the decisive ball is close and you do not miss the most exciting moment of the game.
It is not allowed to take glass bottles and water bottles with more than 1 litre to the stadium.
Into the mist ...
by TheWanderingCamel
We spent a whole day around the Port Hills behind Summner and the northern rim of the drowned volcano that created Lyttleton Harbour, driving along the harbourside and Summit Road in both directions from Lyttelton.
Travelling east the road had taken us out to Godley Head with its wonderful views of the Pacific coastline. Heading west out of Lyttelton, we followed the harbour quite a way before taking to the hills again, the road taking us higher and higher as we made our way to Gebbies Pass and looked down onto the west side of the Banks Peninsula - lying in bright sunshine 9good weather always moves in from the west in this part of the world).
Back on Summit Road again we were often in, and then above, cloud. The breaks in the mist and the cloud revealed beautiful views and the mist certainly didn't stop us getting out of the car and walking in this lovely green and peaceful place, stopping at the site of the old Sign of the Bellbird resthouse, its stones now reconstructed into a simple walkers' shelter at Kennedy's Bush - the first area in the Port Hills to be designated a scenic recreation area.
The ideal end to the day came at The Sign of the Kiwi, an old-fashioned teahouse that is something of an historic marker along the route. More great views, yummy home-made scones, jam and cream and a pot of tea hit the spot.
Chirstchurch Airport
by TomorrowsAngel
Chirstchurch airport has both national and international departures.
Facilities: Koru Club lounge, Pizza Hut, Cheers Bar, duty free shops, bookstore, gift shops, wheelchair.disabled/baby changing facilities.
Main domestic airlines flying: Air New Zealand, Origin Pacific, Qantas, Freedom Air.
If you've got a bit of a wait, follow the penguin flipperprints to find the Antarctic Centre
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The new look of City Mall.
postcard of scenery from the air
Shark feeding time.
This church was built in 1926.
