Christchurch: Nice To Be Back In Summer: A Walk Through It’s Botanical Gardens. New Zealand Day Two. 2/7/22
After arriving at the airport I was able to quickly gather my luggage and hire a taxi for the short ride to my lodging in Christchurch. I was staying at the centrally located Classic Hotel on Gloucester Street. It was a beautiful bed and breakfast built in the 19th century. Unfortunately, like many of the places I stayed during my three weeks in New Zealand I didn’t spend much time there. 
It was around 11 a.m. when I arrived and I was tired from my long day of travel. However, it was sunny and I was eager to explore my first city in New Zealand. So after a few minutes settling into my room I was on the streets of Christchurch.
I was only one block from the Canterbury Museum and Botanic Gardens and decided to visit the gardens first. I loved the botanical gardens when I visited cities of Australia and hoped they were just as beautiful here in New Zealand. I was not disappointed.
I walked into a magical world of trees, flowers and shrubs from New Zealand and around the world.
It was mid summer in the Southern Hemisphere. Many of the flowers were now done blooming but there were still plenty on full display.
I walked the many shaded trails under ancient trees from all over the world including many from the United States, like this giant redwood tree.
I love exploring new countries and seeking out the native flora and fauna. I was excited to encounter some unfamiliar species of birds. I learned that this water bird was a native New Zealand Paradise Shelduck.
This a New Zealand scaup. 
This beautiful bird, however, was not native to New Zealand. I learned it was an import from Europe, a goldfinch, 
and this chaffinch also an import from Europe. Here is a link to some more photographs of the birds I saw on my hike. Botanic Gardens birds February 7 2019. 
I continued walking through the grounds of the botanical gardens. I was serenaded by the loud noise of the cicadas heard throughout the gardens. It was similar but also different from this familiar sound heard in the woodlands of Northeast Pennsylvania in mid to late summer. 
I also found a mushroom which also reminded me of summer back home.
I soon found the lovely Avon River which meandered along the edge of the park. Many people were enjoying it’s beauty on this warm summer afternoon. Many were tourists, some locals walking their dogs and others were students from the nearby University. 
I walked through the gardens and left through a second entrance and found another large park with a lake located just outside. Once again I found many residents and tourists enjoying the outdoors in the afternoon sun. 
I was getting tired so I decided to return to my hotel but not before exploring some more of the gardens and it beautiful display of roses.
There were many different varieties including many heirloom species. I wish I could share the beautiful aroma of these flowers.
And where there are flowers there are butterflies and bees. I wasn’t able to photograph any of the butterflies but did get some pictures of these New Zealand bees. 
I wish I could have continued to explore Botanic Gardens of Christchurch, I am sure there was so much more to see, like this ceramic chair. 
However, I was exhausted from my long trip and wanted to unpack, recharge my phone, camera and computer after my long day of travel. I was also considering a short nap. So I headed back to my hotel. Here is a link to some more photographs from my hike in the botanic gardens. Botanical Gardens New Zealand Day Two February 7 2019. 
“Show me your garden and I shall tell you what you are. ”
Alfred Austin
“God made a beauteous garden
With lovely flowers strown,
But one straight, narrow pathway
That was not overgrown.
And to this beauteous garden
He brought mankind to live,
And said “To you, my children,
These lovely flowers I give.
Prune ye my vines and fig trees,
With care my flowers tend,
But keep the pathway open
Your home is at the end.”
God’s Garden”
― Robert Frost
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