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This page dedicated to the memory
of Charlie "Crash" Curtis.
Born: Rockland, Maine,USA 8/30/40
Died: Christchurch, New Zealand 8/7/00 |
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| Transit from Wellington, North Island, to Picton, South Island, is by SeaRail Ferries. This ferry ride is one of the most scenic in the world. |
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| Interislander Ferry leaving Picton, Marlborough Sound |
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Pictures of the Interislander Ferries scanned from a postcard. The 3 ferries currently in service are the Arahura, which means "Pathway to Dawn, the Aratere, meaning "Quick Path", and the Arahanga, or "The Bridge". In addition, a new high-speed ferry called The Lynx makes the crossing in about 1/2 the time of the others. I found the Lynx to be very modern and comfortable, but I still prefer the older ferries. (Postcards do not scan very well, but this was such a good selection of photos!) |
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About midway between Picton and Christchurch is the city of Kaikoura. Kaikoura
has become the premier area on South Island for whale and dolphin watching. Whales
and dolphins are numerous in the area because of the abundance of marine life.
(See National Geographic Magazine, June '98, pages 106-117 "The Deep Mysteries
of Kaikoura Canyon").
Kaikoura Canyon Click to see Kaikoura Canyon page (Adobe Reader required) Among the delights for tourists in Kaikoura are a number of exceptionally well-done and lovely murals. |
Christchurch is the garden city of New Zealand.
Wherever you go you will find broad, leafy avenues, sweeping parks and
vibrant flower filled gardens where the drama of the seasons and the magic
of the colors invite an immediate and closer look. Christchurch is bounded
by the Pacific Ocean to the east and by the Waimakariri River to the north,
but sprawls comfortably towards the plains in the west, and rises up into
the Port Hills in the south. Christchurch's sister city is Dorset, England,
along with Adelaide, South Australia and Seattle on the Pacific coastline of
the USA.
Christchurch is located in the
Canterbury area (residents refer to themselves as "Cantabrians") on the wide
Canterbury Plain, or Flats, I've heard it referred to as both. From Christchurch
you are a short drive from some of the South Island's best tourist attractions.
The Southern Alps mountain range rises behind Christchurch to the west, beyond the
plains, and the Pacific Coast is just a short drive east. Port Lyttleton is the
seaport that serves Christchurch and is, itself, an historic point that one should
visit and learn about. Many early New Zealand immigrants arrived in Lyttleton
and walked across the mountains into Canterbury, carrying their entire life's
possessions on their backs.
The town of Akaroa is located nearby also. Akaroa was originally a French
settlement and the French influence is abundant. Akaroa is located in an
ancient sunken volcano crater. One of the world's rarest dolphins,
the Hector's Dolphin, lives in the waters around Akaroa. I went on a dolphin
watch cruise and got some great video shots of a couple of these dolphins, as
well as another rare and endangered creature, the Little Blue Penguin.
Downtown Christchurch trams.
The electric trams originally ran from 1905 to 1954. They were brought back into service in 1995. These trams make a loop around
the city centre area, going past most of the main attractions in downtown
Christchurch, particularly around Cathedral Square. You can buy an all-day
pass at a reasonable rate, much cheaper and more convenient than paying each
time you board, and get on & off when and where you please.
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The International Antarctic Centre is at Harewood International Airport, the airport that serves the Christchurch area. |
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My friend Charlie Curtis and me at the International Antarctic Centre at Harewood Int'l Airport. |
