Christchurch and Greymouth

After bidding farewell to three weeks of study abroad life, we embarked on another journey in New Zealand—a six-day tour of the South Island. ✈️ Our flight landed at Christchurch Airport, where our tour guide (who also doubled as the driver) picked us up. For the next six days, we’d be worry-free, following the guide for meals and accommodation. Though it’s currently the off-season for tourism in New Zealand, there were far more group members than I expected—over forty people! Our first stop today was a city tour of Christchurch, visiting the cathedral ruins, the Canterbury Museum, and the Botanic Gardens. Since it’s winter, there weren’t many flowers to admire in the gardens, so we opted for a leisurely stroll in the park instead. After so many days in New Zealand, I’d grown a bit numb to the scenery, so I closed my eyes and focused on my breathing, feeling the fresh air nourish every cell in my body. 🌿 My favorite part was the Avon River winding through the city—lush greenery, weeping willows along the banks, dappled shadows, and peach blossoms in full bloom, creating a picturesque scene. The serene and elegant Avon River naturally slows your pace, inviting you to savor every moment. Lunch was Chinese food—simple but delicious. My son ate with such relish that I apologized to the other group members, explaining that he hadn’t had Chinese food in three weeks. They immediately understood, and the conversation flowed from there. 🥢 After the meal, my son and I hurried to a nearby supermarket to stock up on fruits and snacks. Gotta enjoy as many kiwifruits as we can while we’re still in New Zealand! At 2 PM, we set off from Christchurch to Greymouth. As the tour bus left the city and headed toward the distant snow-capped mountains, my gaze locked onto them. The closer we got, the more the sound of cameras clicking filled the bus. The guide reassured us, “No rush for photos—you’ll see snow mountains almost every day for the rest of the trip.” �❄️ At one point, the guide stopped the bus and pointed out the "stone formations" in the distance, which were used as a filming location for The Chronicles of Narnia—Castle Hill. But with the backlighting at that moment, I couldn’t see anything particularly special about it. Christchurch is on the east coast of the South Island, while Greymouth is on the west. The towering Southern Alps, stretching from the southeast to the northwest, block the sea winds and rain from both directions, giving the two coasts completely different landscapes and climates. Our bus crossed the Southern Alps via Arthur’s Pass to reach the West Coast. Two centuries ago, Arthur’s Pass was a trail used by the Māori to travel to the West Coast. By 6 PM, we arrived in Greymouth and checked into our hotel. The town has a tiny population, with only a handful of supermarkets and hotels. Dinner was a buffet at the hotel—fish fillets, chicken, beef... it was a lavish spread. My son could finally indulge to his heart’s content, leaving him utterly satisfied. 😋 #StudyAbroad #TravelDiary #NewZealand #SouthIslandTour