Oct16 Tuesday-Christ Church New Zealand said to be more English than England. We begin with a buffet breakfast. We get a city tour bus ride. First we stop at the Antartic center www.iceberg.co.nz What an experience. A huge complex where we learn about the icy continent . We go into the polar room where we put on booties and a jacket before going onto a room of snow. They regulate the temperature and we feel what it is like to be in 18’c with a wind chill of(-2). They turn on giant fans. Next we get a Haggland adventure. A 15 min jaunt in a 5 ton tracked buggy, an genuine anartic all-terrain amphibious vehicle. Fun fun fun .We have time to view displays in different galleries on Antartic experiences before seeing live little blue penguins feeding at 10:30 . These are the smallest of 18 species of penguins in the world. We get back on the bus ang go to Mona Vale www.monavale.co.nz A great historic homestead, a charming Elizabethan style complex with ponds and fountains. Here we have afternoon tea with petit sandwiches and scones before walking around the most exquisite gardens including the Avon river with punting. City Center next. Here we stop at the square with Christ Church taking center stage. www.christchurchcathedral.co.nz A fine example of English Victorian Gothic church architecture 1881. The square is converted into a pedestrian only area. We also see the 18m high metal chalice sculptured by Neil Dawson to acknowledge the millennium Also in the square is the Christ Church tramway, and the old post office, now a visitors center. We stop at the Botanical Gardens and the Canterbery museum. We needed more time for both of these. I spoke to some kids in black and white striped blazers from Christ Church college . It is the oldest independent school established in 1850. www.chtistchurchcollege.com www.govt.nz/parks www.canterburymuseum.com There new art gallery opened in 2003 is also very impressive. We pass Hagley Park comparative to Central Park in New York. We are back at 4pm to get our review of the RV’s and a quick briefing for tomorrows journey.

Oct 15 Monday-Our suitcases are outside our door by 5:10 am ,and we pick up our bag breakfast. At the airport I have time only to check e-mails Free not long enough to post the blog. We get another breakfast on the 3 hr flight to Christ Church. We loose 3hrs coming from Australia to New Zealand. We stay at Copthorne hotel. Our room is huge. 5 of us get a free bus pass and go to town. 3 of stay on and take the 1 hr. loop. We are back in time for our free wine or beer and hord’veuvres before our 7pm dinner. I am even too tired to post and write our daily log. $20.00 for 24 hr. for WIFI. Very expensive