Tuesday Jan 13 2025 Christchurch

We pulled into the dock at Christchurch this morning by 8:00 and after breakfast we took the shuttle into Christchurch. Deb bought a ticket online for the hop on hop off tram (on rails, not a bus) which goes all around town. It was pretty inexpensive since the town is fairly small, but it’s an easy way to get your bearings. We stopped at the Earthquake Museum which was great.

They seem to have an earthquake somewhere in New Zealand every 20 years or so.The one we had remembered hearing about was in 2011, but there was a bigger one in 2010. Ironically the 2011 quake did more damage and killed 185 people and hospitalized many more. Since then the town has really fixed itself back up. A woman that helped us with directions said that even in the last 5 years, the city has really been rejuvenated. It’s a very walkable, bikeable city with nice parks and public spaces. Being a temperate climate, the year round weather is fairly constant.

We then took the tram to the art gallery which had lots of Maori art, a constant all around New Zealand.

Then lunch at a pub where we sat and talked to a  mother and son duo on the same cruise who are from Parramatta (near Sydney). The further into this cruise the more familiar faces we turn into acquaintances. At first you don’t know anybody and as the days go by, you get to recognize and get to know more and more people. And they all have their own travel stories. We keep discovering the ins and outs of all the different cruise lines (and other modes of travel) and it is generally agreed that Azamara is a lot more down to earth than many others. A few people like the big 3000+ cruise ships but most enjoy the smaller ones.

After lunch we headed back to the ship. Tonight is special because it is the “White Nights” evening where they set all the tables on deck next to the pool and serve an early (and huge) buffet dinner. The idea is to wear as much white clothing as you packed and dance the night away. The entertainment team along with the ship band played and performed  until 10 pm and everyone was on the dance floor. A very fun night. Deb and I danced until the end and then crawled down the stairs and into bed.