NZ Part 9 : Christchurch and Methven (and Hot Air Balloon NOT)

We were in Christchurch next. Leaving the beautiful Kaikoura behind (agak sedih sebab Kaikoura sangat tenang).

Let me start with "jalan di NZ sangat cantik" (the phrase that has been repeated for the umpteenth time).



We went straight to the Cathedral Square once we got into Christchurch. The city center where the earthquake destroyed many buildings.

The old church is being re-build. They put up murals, posters and plants around the ruins.

Murals around the city. These are some of what we saw. You should google for more. They have really great murals everywhere (the ballerina - called The Last Bow - I got from the web sebab we were on the tram dan tak sempat nak tangkap gambar across the window. Sangat cantik). 

We took the tram; dan pusing Christchurch for a bit. And stopped at the Re:Start Mall.

The mall is unique. Very aspiring. Modern. And quirky. It is built totally on containers. But the containers are all colorful and the mall is quite busy considering it is within the city ruins. Post office pun dalam container.

Kami mencari - terjumpa dan bersolat di Masjid An Nur, Christchurch.

We spent the night in Methven, about one and a half hour drive south of Christchurch. We got hot air balloon ride scheduled early the next morning in Methven!

There was shower on our journey to Methven that afternoon. Jadi gambar tak berapa cantik. Walaupun the Canterbury scenery was beyond beautiful. In retrospect saya terfikir, sampai jugak saya ke Canterbury - a place I learned in geography class so long ago dan memang dalam buku pun nampak amat cantik. MasyaaAllah.

Dan pada setiap gunung-ganang dan bukit-bukau yang kami lalu saya selalu berkata pada Luqman dan Eirfan (peminat Hobbit dan LOTR), ini nampak macam scene dalam movies tu. Everytime.

We came across the Rakaia Gorge. Amat tinggi dan curam jalannya. I wouldnt dare drive on this road. Tapi amat, amat cantik (namun tak begitu menjadi dalam gambar).

The skies cleared out somewhat once we got into Methven.

Our camping site for the night. Full facilities. Namun sebab bukan peak season, agak lengang (kalau anak2 baca entry ni, dia orang akan kata takut; sudah maklum saya penakut!)

Unfortunately we got the call from the hot air balloon rep telling us that the weather for the next morning look cloudy. And with showers. So our ride on the balloon is cancelled. Sedey.. So instead of having pictures like this --

(from the internet of course), we have only this photo at Methven and the (what was) anticipated balloon ride..

We checked hot air balloon rides in Queenstown; but the rides cost so much more. Yang ini pun dah agak2 tak mampu..

So we said, we have to come to Canterbury again for the hot air balloon ride. And InsyaaAllah the weather will cooperate then.

Dan kami terus ke Mount Cook. What can I say about Mount Cook, except OMG; amat2 cantik. Next post. Please bear with me..





~ xoxo