Birthday Celebrations in South Island

Arrived in Christchurch in the South Island on the early evening of Sunday, January 3rd. Our accommodation was right in the heart of downtown on the central Cathedral Square. After we checked in, we wandered around the square, just in time to participate in a Vespers service in the Cathedral celebrating Epiphany. It was a beautiful ornate Victorian church and great to hear the organ as well as the soloist singing a selection from "The Messiah" and "O Holy Night". It was also strange to see a big Christmas tree in the square, all decorated, but with no snow in sight.

JANUARY 4TH heralded in Karin's birthday. It probably was the furthest away that I have ever been for my birthday! We took a city tour in the morning. Christchurch is a very English town with many Victorian houses, churches and colleges. Everything is clean with lots of greenery, fountains, statues and flowers. Trams carry people from one location to the next. In the afternoon we took a tour to visit several wineries in the countryside region outside of Christchurch. It was a beautiful sunny afternoon, and the wineries are very beautifully situated around ponds with bridges or with large sprawling grass lands. One winery had seven different types of wines all labelled with musical names. Another one had wine bottles making up its chandelier! Very original! We went out for a lovely birthday dinner. For all you who are wondering, we did NOT dine at McCafe, although the picture was a must to take!