Christchurch, when I was doing research in the states, was on every list as a must visit site.
When I arrived on the south island and told the locals I wanted to go to Christchurch, they all, without exception, displayed dumbfounded expressions and asked “Why?”
So, as I mentioned I was rerouted at least for a day to Kaikoura, and the locals were 100% right about that one. So, coming into Christchurch, even for a day to essentially change busses, had me skeptical to say the least.
So I went on the internet, the people who told me I must come here, and I searched for things to do in a day in Christchurch.
I could explore the city center by tram.
They have a hop on hop off trolly experience that looked interesting, but it only went until 6 and it was already 4.
I could visit the Christchurch Art Gallery or Canterbury museum. Both closed soon and were not close to where I was, or at least close enough for me to walk at my slow pace and get there in time to enjoy them.
I could enjoy a punt – a gondola ride – on the Avon River.
That was appealing, but there was a line, and again, closing soon.
I don’t know if it was the fact it was St. Patrick’s day, or perhaps Monday, or if I was just acting out my mood, but the timing was not working out, so I just wandered around.
One thing I did see was this gate. Several people on the internet said this was the best thing to see in all the world, because you could catch the wonderful sky behind the open gate. Ideal backdrop for… life itself or some such thing.
It is a very pretty gate. The skies are amazing and I agree, from the right angle, at the right time of day, a great picture could be taken. Especially after a rain, with wet pavement. Yes, that would have been nice.
People, I can tell you from first hand experiences over the entirety of my life, but especially from this trip… the ideal picture can be posed, but rarely is it simply taken. I could delete the people from the above picture. I could change the sky, and enhance the colors. I even know how to add wet pavement and remove the fact it is in the middle of essentially a mall.
But this shot is not worth it to me.
All the pictures on Instagram that the influencers are posing and appear perfect – are, in a way. I have now witnessed hundreds of Instagram influencers with their tripods and selfie sticks. Ring lights, and many with a whole mess of extra props and people. I watch them take their shots and yes, they are creative and wonderful and I have gained many ideas from watching their process. I also promise you, if any of them say on their feeds that they are taking selfies, it is a lie. If any of them are telling you they took a picture at this gate at 5 pm and it shows now people in the shots, they either shooed people out of their shots or they erased them before posting.
You cannot simply walk up to an arch like this in the middle of the day and take ‘the shot.’
If so inspired, and I did this in Cambodia, I could get up at sunrise when fewer people are afoot, set up the shot and wait for the right light. I was not so inspired here, and it did not work out for me as planned at Angkor Wat, but it can be done. Kind of.
So, stepping off my high horse, but before I do, don’t believe what Instagram tells you. There are beautiful places and things in the world, and you should go see them, but if you are going because of the Instagram perfect photo, you will likely be disappointed.
But it is a very pretty gate. Even with the tourists.
So I wandered around and saw a lot of little things and a lot of nothing. I only touched the surface of Christchurch, but I did learn they are the street art capital of the world.
Everything from electrical boxes to buildings is covered in either street art or signage of some kind.
Where there is not a painting, there is a sculpture.
And then in the middle of everything, without explanation or warning, there is a building like this…
Then you turn around and there is this…
I know they are going for… something here. I am positive they are in a transition phase. I know I am missing huge chunks of this experience. I am also positive I was missing all that was beach coastal vibe and although on a coast, this was city and weird.
So, I gathered some dinner, which was ironically hard to find, wandered back to my hotel and called it a night in my tiny room.
Oh, there was an up. I found another daily doggo.
