24/01/2022
I spent a few days exploring Ōtautahi/Christchurch with my bestie last week. The city is thriving, re-building, creating exciting places to be. It’s full of bike paths, new CBD developments, gardens, shopping precincts, markets and much more.
South Island accommodation and petrol are so much cheaper than Northland or Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland.
K and I were there to catch up after borders meant at least a year since we last spent time together. We walked, we talked, we shopped a bit, explored and ate!!
A few of our faves were:
Glamour Cakes Bakery Lyttleton. Our 2nd visit in 5 years. Worth a drive thru the tunnel. Gourmet pies keeping the steady line of port workers happy. Recommend the pork belly pie with crackling on the top! Melt in your mouth goodness. K rated the gourmet sausage roll. Also caramel brownie and a range of extravagant donuts.
Sum dog diner - a great find within walking distance of our motel on Papanui Road. SoCal American good, generous, tasty and super friendly staff. K had a burger and I the nachos.
Sweet Revenge - Riverside markets. Oh my - I would drive or fly a long way for another piece of their Pinky slice. Like the pinky bar but so so much better.
Power salads Riverside markets.
Delicious, fresh, tasty, healthy. Choose your protein/salads and toppings to eat there or takeaway.
Places to wander and catch up worth exploring were -
Botanical Gardens and their stunning visitors centre in Hagley Park. A real gem right in the centre of the city.
Sumner beach and New Brighton beach where we saw sand art, fishermen and a hector’s dolphin.
Woolston Emporium for vintage/second hand goods and outrageously large 2nd hand bookstores.
The Tannery for upmarket shopping.
Northlands mall for lovely food court.
And of course when Kris and I get together the flash new large Spotlight and Lincraft. Why does Auckland not have a Lincraft??
Get out and see our own country while there’s no overseas tourist crowds.
It’s beautiful and when you spend it with your best mate, it’s magic.
