Yesterday we both had a day off (well, kind of) so we decided to head out tramping to the Port Hills which surround Christchurch. We took a short bus ride from the city centre (about 30 minutes) and headed to the entrance of Victoria Park. After following some rather vague signs to the visitor center, we were able to arm ourselves with a map and plan our day. There are lots of options for tracks to take but for this visit, we decided to take the Harry Ell Walkway to the Sign of the Kiwi (about an hour walk one way). There were some really nice views along the way but the best ones came once we entered the Crater Rim Walkway, just past the Sign of the Kiwi. We were able to see the harbour and the hills in the distance. It was really beautiful. After hiking for a while, we rewarded ourselves with some delicious hokey pokey ice cream cones at the Sign of the Kiwi. Filled with fuel for the hike back, we decided to take the shared use Thomsons and 
Latters Spur Tracks back. These trails are also used for mountain biking and there is a huge mountain bike jump park in the middle where a bunch of trails intersect that looked really crazy. There’s also a permanent orienteering course set up throughout the park and we managed to accidentally find at least 5 checkpoints just by walking along the trail (we’ll be ready when it comes time to orienteer there!). We also saw some nice views of the city on the way back. It’s hard to imagine that we were only 30 minutes away and in the wilderness! Definitely not like New York! Hopefully we’ll get to go back soon to do some more of the longer tracks.This weekend we’ll be on the road to Nelson for the big beach ultimate tournament. It’s Pirate themed so we’re planning on it being a crazy awesome time. We’ve only gotten one email from the tourney director so far and it has all been about the party and pirate costumes (and it’s all been written as if he is a pirate speaking to us). We hope that we’re actually playing some ultimate too. Stay tuned early next week for some tourney blogging!
Jen on the Harry Ell Walkway
The Sign of the Kiwi
The view overlooking the harbour
Along the Crater Rim Walkway
The view at the other end of the harbour
Christchurch City in the distance
5 comments:
i'm glad you can screen all the newbies at this tournament...that way we only get the top of the heap for actual tryouts
I can't help but feel that the Harry Ell Walkway story would have been better if afterwards you had stopped for some delicious hokey pokeying. Because, I mean, what trip wouldn't benefit from a celebratory dance.
Also, have you considered that the TD might actually be a pirate? This is New Zealand after all. I think you guys should go as ninjas.
I should have sent you some of my bandanas to wear while playing in the pirate-themed tournament! Oh well, looks like you'll just have to do some shopping before you go.
we already did our shopping for our costumes, and just to wet your appetite for the pictures, we bought a package at the dollar store called "mustache party"
I'm sure you'll both be tempted to wear eye patches (maybe even MATCHING eye patches, which would be cool) to the pirate tournament, but let me caution you against that. Depth perception is an important part of ultimate, and you'll feel a little foolish if you mis-time a catch and end up with a disc in your "good" eye. But the good news is that if that happens and your eye swells up and turns black, at least you'll have an eye patch handy to cover it.
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