ART, LUNCH, AND A STROLL

After the kiwis, fish, and seafood, I walked to The Arts Centre for the weekend market (as it was Sunday), where I shopped for gifts and chatted with the local artisans. Then I was lured into the nearby Le Bon Bolli restaurant by their sidewalk ad for a "Coffee Combo" -- a cappuccino and a hunk of fudge for just $5.50. Once inside, I got tempted into ordering the croquettes de boeuf avec pommes frites et salade. The croquettes were delicate and delicious, if a bit greasy. Later I would realize that when it comes to food in NZ, greasy is the name of the game. Still, I was impressed with my meal, and the coffee combo was powerful and decadent.

I spent the rest of the sunny afternoon at the neighboring Christchurch Art Gallery. It's free, it's big, it's glassy, it's modern, it's a fun place to look at art and just hang out.

Heading back to the Conference Centre to meet James, I passed through the deserted City Mall and was about to photograph the towering Bridge of Remembrance while lying on my back. At that very moment, a little security car pulled right up to me for some other reason, and out popped these chatty Keystone Cop types who invaded my original shot. So I took the picture standing up.

33 beef croquettes, garden salad, skinny herb fries	34 cappuccino, gingerbread fudge	35 the napkin shot	36 Bridge of Remembrance
back | MAIN | next