Christchurch Botanic Gardens and Return to Akaroa

We did have just enough time after seeing the city sights of Christchurch and having a nice lunch, to see the beautiful Christchurch Botanic Gardens, before heading back to Akaroa.

After the sadness of so much remaining damage from the earthquakes, it was so nice to take a stroll and see some lovely blooms like these trumpet shaped flowers growing in a bunch on a large tree shrub.

This was a really different flowering bush.  The blooms are actually sitting on top of the leafy branch!  Jeff and I had never seen something like this before.

What a lovely peaceful scene this was.  I love the reflection in the water of the Avon River, which flows thru the Botanic Gardens.  They had several benches set up along the river, so people could just sit and enjoy the beauty and perhaps even get in a bit of meditation.  Altho right in the city, many parts of this garden had very little, if any, city sounds to disrupt the peace.

We also saw the same variety of blooms as the first image I showed you in different colors.  Here was a deep, rich red version of the same lovely trumpet shaped blooms.  I think it’s kind of a luscious color.

While we sat at one of the benches along the river, these 2 ducks were very happy to provide entertainment by bobbing for some food to munch on.  I was lucky enough to capture one right side up while the other is upside down!

As we started to make our way out of the garden, we strolled thru the rock garden there.  I love the contrast between the hard rock surface and the soft pink petals of the ground flowers growing there.

The Botanic Gardens dissect Hagley Park.  We exited the Botanic Garden and walked thru a bit of North Hagley Park on the way back to the shuttle to take us back to our ship.  I really love the remote feel and ultimate peace of this image, with the tree hanging over and reflecting on the Avon River.  What a lovely respite!

When we got back to Akaroa and were taking the tender boat from the dock to our ship, we passed this adorable little lighthouse in Akaroa Harbor.  For whatever reason, the sailboats weren’t out on this day.  Maybe too windy?

As we got close to the ship, I saw this great landscape that I have found is just iconic New Zealand.  The rolling hills within larger hills – it makes me feel so small and insignificant.

And, finally, farewell to Akaroa!!  Great sea, sky and bluffs!

Enjoy!