This is just a brief visit to this city in the South Island of Kiwiland. Could have been perfect if we had the chance to go punting but not this time. Our boat sails out before sunset so we only had time to check out the botanical gardens, the art gallery area, the under-renovation Christchurch Cathedral, the Cardboard Cathedral, the Avon River and Riverside Market. To round it off, we also took the tram to go around the city before joining our cruise ship again.

We could have spent more time in the botanical gardens. An hour there is simply not enough. One of the toddlers wanted to stay longer, understandably so since all that space meant running around, picking flowers and just watching those flat-bottomed boats glide by the river. Wish we could name the centuries-old trees, but we can only admire how lush and beautiful they are.

The Cardboard Cathedral a.k.a. the Transitional Cathedral, is the transitional place of worship of the Anglican Diocese of the city, replacing the now under-restoration Christchurch Cathedral, which was significantly damaged in the 2011 Christchurch earthquake. Lunch was in the Riverside Market which was teeming with cruisers like us, out to check local delicacies. Seafood was better. Oysters ever delightful, hitting that spot with every slurp off the shell.

No punting meant taking the tram around the city where we passed major attractions including the art murals on the sides of the buildings and art installations in public parks and gardens. Wish there was more time, and a steadily stable internet connection. That’s to say I’d edit this as we go along . Ciao!