By Liz Lewis
Garden City of the World in 1997, Christchurch, New Zealand is the perfect place to go into Exile. What better than to lose yourself in the beauty and tranquillity of nature. Release the cobwebs with a leisurely stroll around the Christchurch Botanic Gardens located right in the heart of the city. 74 acres of gardens (exotic and indigenous), lawns, and paths make this the perfect place to Exile yourself from the pressures of the world. Take a book, a journal, and a camera. Maybe even pack a picnic and make a day of it. Sit by the banks of the Avon river and be entertained by kids attempting to steer kayaks and paddle boats.
Stop by the ostentatious Peacock Fountain. Dismantled in 1949 due to recurring maintenance problems, this ornate Edwardian fountain was resurrected in 1995 and has created controversy amongst locals (one letter to the newspaper described the fountain as looking ‘like a refugee from a confectioner’s nightmare’). Decide for yourself.
When you get tired of walking, head over to the Curator’s House Restaurant just inside the gates of the Botanic Gardens, for a meal or a drink. Once the official curators residence, this 1920s building is now home to an innovative restaurant serving Spanish-New Zealand style cuisine. Fresh herbs and vegetables are picked from the adjoined organic garden.
After a day of fresh air, it’s time to find a place to rest your head. In Christchurch, you can choose upmarket or downmarket accommodation and still get the same views. The best bet is The George Hotel at 50 Park Terrace, a small luxurious hotel that is steps away from the Botanic gardens and city center. But for the budget conscious, the Christchurch YMCA at 12 Hereford St is a perfect alternative, providing a comfortable, safe environment, centrally located between the Botanic Gardens and the Arts Center. And it provides a gym and climbing wall (for when things become too much) as an added bonus.
Exorcise the demons.I recommend three ways of exorcising the demons: fear, chocolate, and drink. Start with a Ghost Walk around the gothic Art Centre. This 45 minute night-time tour takes visitors into rarely seen areas of the Art Centre, searching for ghostly sightings (watch out for Henry).
Recover from the fear with a chocolate infusion at Strawberry Fare. How does Devils Dream (white and dark chocolate layers with raspberry coulis filling) sound? Just think ‘stressed is desserts spelt backwards‘.
