Christchurch is the second-largest city in New Zealand, but it’s not too busy, fairly flat, and easy to get around. There are plenty of small parks and green spaces, and I also came across several bicycle shops and workshops. After nearly 1,000 km since my last bike check-up, I decided to have a service guy take a look at it.

Just two weeks before I arrived, a terrible and senseless terror attack occurred. The first was at the Al Noor Mosque in central Christchurch, followed by a second at the Linwood Islamic Centre, just a kilometer from my hostel. A single shooter killed 51 people and injured 89 before being stopped by police on his way to a third mosque.

While I was waiting for my tent to be cleaned of from my Borneo ants  I was exploring the town, visit Canterbury museum, Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū, cycling around and so on.

The Canterbury Museum, spread over several floors, features fascinating exhibitions about Antarctica and the various discovery expeditions there. It also has a section dedicated to the Maori, showcasing their life and culture, as well as displays on New Zealand’s unique birds and a small tribute to their legendary Speedway hero, Ivan Mauger. At the top of the museum, there’s a café offering a lovely view of the botanical garden.

I visited this museum several times and I do recommend a visit

Christchurch is the largest city on the South Island and the second largest in New Zealand. Nearly 400,000 people live there, but it’s hard to experience Christchurch as a big city. There are few high-rise buildings, and many small streets where bars and pubs compete for space with other little shops.
Many houses are in traditional English style, though there are also plenty of fashionable homes.

The Avon, a small river, flows through the town, and along the slopes down to the riverbanks many people sit down to reflect, while others enjoy something they have brought with them to eat.

A tram line also runs through town with old fashionrd red cars. Down here is autumn but the temeratures is more like normal Sweden summer. Many wear shorts. At home in Sweden is spring!

While I was walking about Christchurch aI stopped by a colorful building that resembles a triangle. It was a cathedral, named Cardboard Cathedral, formally called the Transitional Cathedral, replacing christchurch cathedral  which was damaged hard after 2011 earthquake.

Materials used include 60-centimetre  diameter cardboard tubes, timber and steel. The roof is of polycarbon.

I just walk around whitout any goal, stops at some bicycle stores to view all new models and designs I never seen before. A nice and tough electric Fatbike especially attracted my interest!

Before heading to my hostel, Kiwi, I stopped at a street bar with tables along the tram line for a beer, enjoying the lively atmosphere. It feels like stress doesn’t exist here, despite the recent terror attack.

After a nice beer and relaxing time I cycled back to my hostel, Kiwi for dinner. Seven easy km to Gloucester Street and the weather is prefect for me. most of the backpackers were either out or resting in their rooms so the kirchen was almost empty.

The first thing I had in mind after I got back from town was to go into the bathroom to take a shower. New, fresh towels and then I was ready to cook dinner. I am not a gourmet chef, it is often pasta, rice, sausage, pork or chicken and a beer on my menu and this evening was no exception.

Sometimes I am a little jealous of many others, they cook theirs a little more carefully than I do, vegetables, root vegetables, sauces, spices and it often smells very delicious, but there are often two or more people helping with the preparations.

While eating I also did some work on my blog, sent emails home, did Google research and planned for my continued cycling on the south island.

Earlier I spoke to another bicyclist at this hostel about my journey and he gave me some nice tips. He recommend me to plan my route first south and then northwest up to Tekapo lake.
– You gonna like it he said.  Beautiful roads, scenic surroundings and glaciers.

I asked him about Queenstown, as I had previously heard that it is a popular place for cyclists.

– Yes, it is, but it is also very expensive, almost twice as Christchurch, very crowded and loudly.

I drew up a preliminary route with Google Maps all the way up to Picton. After checking a few waypoints I was quite satisfied with the route. Then I converted it for my Garmin GPS .

Distance to Tekapo lake 260 km and to Haast on the west coast 555 km. All the way to Picton from where the Interislander ferry to Wellington and North Islands depart it´s approximate 1325 km.

After I finished my dinner I sat down outside the dining room and had some chat with other backpackers. Always fun to share  info and listen to other experience.

Despite its autunn the temperature is insanely pleasant, so I decided to take a walk into town and a pubvisit or two. Earlier in the day I had spotted a nice and cozy pub. New Zealand has roots and a  shared cultural heritage with England, also their pubs.

When I came into the city, I headed toward the Avon River and crossed it at the Bridge of Remembrance, a war memorial dedicated to those who served in the World Wars and other conflicts.

Along the street that runs parallel to the river, there are several pubs, all of them well attended this evening.

The bars and pubs are busy; many guests are sitting outside and most of the tables are occupied.

I step into one of them and order a beer. A pleasant atmosphere, as usual in English-inspired pubs.

After about an hour, I suddenly feel tempted when I see a group sitting diagonally across from me ordering a Vodka Collins. I order the same drink. It had been a long time since I last had a sip of alcohol on this journey—I can’t even remember when.

The bartender was in a playful mood that evening. He opened a bottle and poured a few shots onto the bar counter, then took out a lighter and set the shots on fire—to loud cheers from all of us.

At 10:30 p.m., I felt it was time for me to head back to Kiwi Hostel. I took the same route back and now when I crossed the river the war memorial was uplighted.

I slowly followed the River Avon and then turned onto Gloucester Street and the evening air was still pleasantly mild.

There was plenty of activity in the shared kitchen and dining area. Most people are eating something or just chatting. I noticed  no men in suits or women dressed in long gowns at this hostel, which I appreciate—and it’s unlikely that any will show up either.

Around midnight, I go upstairs and get ready for the night. Before I went to sleep, I checked my email account and saw I received an email from Wayne Chittock, the security woman at the airport. She wrotes something about MPI BACC relating to consignment C2019/117921 asks me to solve ”Attachment”.

Which means that the tent is now approved for use on the island. So tomorrow I’m going to cycle to 14 Sir William Pickering Drive, Burnside, outside Christchurch to pick it up.👍🫶.