Author: Benjamin Trotter

Merry Christmas from Christchurch! Today, we got up and headed for the beach house bach which is about 45 minutes away North from Christchurch. We arrived ready and hungry for lunch and had a barbecue done as soon as a few others were to join. After a great lunch, we had a nice dessert of fresh fruits and such. I then got a call from my parents who had been trying to call me for about 5 hours to wish me a Merry Christmas. We then went for ‘Chrissie Pressies’. I actually had a few gifts under the tree! I got a calendar that featured pictures of Christchurch and Canterbury, a Photographer’s Journal, and a 2006 Diary/Planner, all featuring photography from New Zealand. We then spent the afternoon hanging out and Tom and I went to the beach to check it out. The weather hasn’t been the greatest, but it was still nice to see the Ocean–imagining that the next stop out is probably Chile South America. Dinner was leftovers and it was a nice quiet evening.

Lunch with Jilly then went to the botanical gardens with Kate. After walking around and taking some photos, we headed back home. Tom and I then went to pick up Indian food for dinner and get some groceries for our trip to the batch, Tom’s mom’s summer home on Amberley Beach on the East Coast. That night, we met up with some more friends and spent Christmas Eve seeing what Christchurch would be up to at night–apparently, not too much!

So the weather hasn’t been the best since we arrived, and most days have been cloudy with spits of rain or shine. Today we had lunch with yet another friend and walked around the city a bit more. Today ended up being quite quiet as my hayfever was really taking a toll. So we had dinner at home and then moved over to Annabelle’s to watch her cat while she’s gone to Australia. I did a body balance video and watched some tv to turn in for an early night.

Again, this morning we went shopping and met Olivia for lunch, who has been working on Carnival cruise ships for the past 9 months, and about to set off for her next jaunt in January. We then ran some errands and picked up some vegetables for a salad that we were bringing to Tom’s brother’s house for our Christmas Dinner. Annabelle, Tom’s sister, is going over to Australia for Christmas with her boyfriend’s, so this was the ‘family dinner’. Once we arrived, we saw the police and road construction like borders. Apparently a train had just struck a truck that was crossing the tracks just hours before. Luckily no one was claimed killed, but it was still eerie to see the site of a disaster like tragedy like that.

For dinner, we had a great lamb with potatoes, salad, and amazing dessert fruits, cookies, ice cream. We then had some presents to open, and Annabelle had me a little Kiwi pendant on a necklace made from Paua shell, which is found in New Zealand.

This morning, we went to the city for shopping and had coffee with some friends from Tom’s Gym, and other friends that live above the port Littylton. After a scenic drive we ended up back home for mom’s dinner including cured Mutton. It was my first time eating mutton and it was delicious–since it was cured, it tasted almost exactly like ham! We then had a quiet evening just watching some tv and getting to bed early for some rest.

Today we went to Misceo’s to meet Tom’s friend for lunch. We had the most amazing lamb yoghurt and curry chicken pizza. The food was absolutely gorgeous! After enjoying Janet’s company for lunch, we headed to the City Centre to get some souvenir type gifts of New Zealand. I found a cool jacket with the coastline of New Zealand being used as a design element. We then went to Les Mills Fitness to join a Body Balance class. Tom is a fitness trainer in Sydney, and used to instruct at Les Mills in Christchurch, so we joined a class that he teaches now in Sydney. It was so great. We then finished Body Balance and headed for Body Attack, which was a lot higher impact, and since I hadn’t done it before, I wasn’t too confident following along! I just didn’t want to get in anyone’s way so I was at the back of the class trying to follow along. It was great fun though :)

Today we checked out of the apartment and headed for a good breakfast at Ma Maison. We then drove back to Christchurch and got dropped off at Tom’s house. We then rested a little before we got ready to go over to Tom’s friends Bruce and Haymish. When we arrived, there was already people there and food was being prepared. The house was a nice victorian style house with old architecture and a beautiful backyard perfect for barbecues. The evening went on with food and more food including lamb, sausages, venison, and chicken. Desserts were strawberries dipped in chocolate, tarts, and other great treats. I must say I have had the best food since I’ve been in New Zealand! We spent the entire evening enjoying all the fun company and food, and I drove us home! It’s quite interesting to be on the other side of the car/road!

The town has been taken over it seems by all the people who have come for the wedding. Everywhere we turn, there’s one of Tom’s old friends saying hello. After a magnificent breakfast, we wandered over to the house of the bride and groom’s parent’s for a barbecue. It was a nice wooden home that faced the water and the hills of Akaroa. After a while, I wanted to go explore a bit and headed for a hike around the hills. After a near-attack by this Rottweiler child-killer charging me from some beat up house, (yes, apparently white trash finds a home even in Akaroa), I headed up the mountain to see some beautiful nature scenery. I then returned to the main strip to have the absolute best muffin I’ve ever had in my entire life. Raspberry with custard?! It was amazing. Raspberries with little squirts of custard spread throughout. I sat in the cafe and had the snack while catching up with Who! (People Magazine). I then met up with Tom and some people and spent the evening hanging out.

After a little bit of a bumpy flight (caused by the Southern Alps), we arrived in Christchurch and greeted by Tom’s mom. She was so kind and vivacious and really made me feel like I was at home. We then drove back to her house in a suburb of Christchurch. After showing me the house, my room, and giving me a muffin before bed, I took a shower for a great sleep. The next morning, we woke up and had some breakfast and packed some clothes for our weekend trip to Akaroa. Tom’s friend is having a wedding here, so he’s going to do that while I enjoy the sight of this french town situated on the water. This is where the French landed in New Zealand, but the English were here first, which is why they’re part of the commonwealth instead of being French. :)

Annabelle, Tom’s sister arrived with her car, and along with some other visitors from Australia, we all headed for the town Akaroa by leaving Christchurch and weaving around the water and up over the mountains. We arrived and had an amazing lunch at a restaurant right next to the water. After lunch, Tom started stumbling into his friends who were also attending the wedding. There wasn’t enough room for me in the hotel that Tom was booked at, so I was going to look for a backpacker’s hostel, yet one of the friends we met, offered their spare room to me. Everyone I’ve met so far has been extremely nice and interesting. I think this is going to be a great trip–it’s started so well so far!

During the wedding, I’ve been walking around taking some amazing photographs. Now with my tripod, I should be able to take some stunning panoramic photography. I’m also going to head to dinner in a bit and eat following it up by the town cinema which is playing a french film at 8pm. Then I’ll go meet up Tom and the others for after wedding celebrations.

Tonight, my friend Tom and I will be heading for Christchurch to spend the holidays in New Zealand. Tom is from New Zealand and offered to show me around the South Island as I didn’t have any plans for the holidays. Tonight we will head off and start a fun trip to enjoy summer weather during Christmas! I bought a tripod to use for panoramic photographs that I’m planning to take of this stunning country. I will post again from New Zealand!