We had a very early start this morning. Our plane out of Nadi, Fiji left at 8am so we left the Fiji Orchid at 5:45. The flight was uneventful and on time.
We arrived in Christchurch at just after noon. Customs and immigration were all very quick, automated and modern.
I was reminded of how much the world follows American politics when the immigration officer asked us what state we were from. When we said Nevada, he said is that red or blue? When Duke said it’s a swing state. He said I won’t ask you what side you are on but he hoped it was the good one! I think it was pretty obvious from our reactions where we stand. We all grimaced and laughed.
We picked up our rental car and drove a short distance into central Christchurch. Our hotel, The Observatory, is in a building that used to be a part of Canterbury College.
After getting settled we went for a walk in the Christchurch Botanical Gardens across from our hotel. It is early spring here and the daffodils are blooming. The weather for our Saturday afternoon walk was perfect.
For dinner We went to a nearby restaurant, Fiddlesticks. Appropriately, for our first night in New Zealand, Duke had the lamb shoulder and I had the braised beef cheek Gnochi. They were each excellent.
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