Second Week in Christchurch

It’s warming up here in Christchurch as spring approaches.  Thousands of daffodils are blooming in Hagley Park and everyone is taking photos of the daffs and their kids in the daffs.

 

The Hagley Park trees are not leafing out yet, but are majestic with or without leaves.

We try to find community events so we get a better idea of local culture.  This week we stopped at the Riccarton Horticultural Society spring show - a lot smaller than the Minnesota State Fair, but still quite nice.

We also saw the Photographer of the Year 2016 photo exhibit organized by the New Zealand Geographic Society.  The photos were displayed in and around converted shipping containers temporarily set up near the damaged Christchurch Cathedral in the central business district (CBD).

The exhibit attendant was a little too laid back on his job

We attended a concert by Ravi Maisuira (playing tabla and drum kit) and his band Acoustic Taal at Orange Studio, a combination recording studio and live music venue.  The four musicians played across several music styles including classical Indian music, jazz, and world fusion.  We talked to the musicians afterward; they told us that they don't play together that often, and that this concert was meant more as an experimental jam to expand the boundaries of their music.  It was very enjoyable and quite interesting!  Paul also enjoyed the beer tap powered by a saxophone.

It not only dispenses beer, but flashes and plays a tune...

Tuesday we saw the University of Canterbury Music Society production of the musical Hair!  The student cast sang and danced their hearts out doing a good imitation of the U.S. in the 60’s hippie era.

Poster for Hair!

Cindy is back volunteering with the native species at Willowbank Nature Reserve where she feeds kiwis and cleans up after them.  She got her hair styled by one of the resident cheeky Kea (a native parrot) while another one tried to untie her shoe.

We both went tramping this week in the Port Hills with the XY Walkers group – lots of great views and fine people to hike with.  We heard and saw skylarks and saw a New Zealand kingfisher.  The grasses called tussock are everywhere in the hills.

A Sacred Kingfisher

We’ve been taking buses all over the city.  The Orbiter bus makes a huge loop around the city and connects to other buses.  One of our drivers this week was pleased to be driving a brand new Orbiter with plastic still on some seats.