Christchurch - Goodbye New Zealand

Christchurch is Oxford, England in miniature: the stone architecture, the parks, the punting boats on the Avon River. We wandered the streets, visited Christchurch cathedral and rented a canoe to pretend we were pirates about to board the punts. It was a stunning day in a beautiful city.

We enjoyed the hospitality of Michele and Richard, former Eugenites living in Christchurch. After camping for two weeks, we thoroughly appreciated showers, laundry, doing schoolwork at their kitchen table, playing with their dogs and cooking food in a kitchen, the simple pleasures. Their advice, good taste in music and witty banter provided the perfect conclusion to our time in New Zealand. Thanks Joanne W for introducing us!

"Where are you from?" the Air NZ flight attendant inquired handing Jeff a sandwich sans crust.
"Oregon.." he replied.
"The States?" she interrupted.
"Yes."
"I thought so, I could tell because of your accent."
Funny, we thought kiwis were the ones with accents. That's something to think about.

More photos of Christchurch are available here.