CHRISTCHURCH, THE WEST COAST AND THE CONS
With Wellington behind and me safely ensconced in my hotel, I met with Jason Brice of Comics Bulletin for a great tour of the city as well the surrounding hillside and down and around a lovely volcano. We stopped at a very nice restaurant situated atop the volcano allowing most incredible views, and we both had a meat pie lunch, an inexpensive but tasty (and very fattening, I'm told) delicacy I first came across in Australia and really came to like. They are sort of like very small pot pies but are made with all manner of different meats, veggies, etc.We slowly drove our way back to Christchurch, three plus hours from the ferry boat arrival in Picton. We went to Jason and Beryl's home
where we had a quick pizza dinner while waiting for the Brice Game Night to begin. Since Noel and I host game night every so often in LA, I felt at home here. Of course, I hadn't played any of the German strategy games before, but they took pity on me, with jet lag still gnawing away at me and a slight head cold doing its best to keep me semi-conscious. Jason found a few of the more interesting but easy to understand games and I was surprised to find I liked them. I'm usually more of a board gamer than a strategy gamer but these were fun.
where we had a quick pizza dinner while waiting for the Brice Game Night to begin. Since Noel and I host game night every so often in LA, I felt at home here. Of course, I hadn't played any of the German strategy games before, but they took pity on me, with jet lag still gnawing away at me and a slight head cold doing its best to keep me semi-conscious. Jason found a few of the more interesting but easy to understand games and I was surprised to find I liked them. I'm usually more of a board gamer than a strategy gamer but these were fun.The next day we headed to New Zealand's West Coast. There's not much to say other than the ride was filled with wonderful pastoral settings as well as incredible mountain views. Jason and Beryl had rented a couple of rooms at a very nice resort on the beach where we went to a very weird place filled with what they call the pancake rocks.
You can pretty much figure out why from the pictures. For those who don't know, to put pictures on the web that will download quickly, the photographs need to be reduced to 72dpi. That means what you're seeing is only a fraction of what I saw. But trust me, this place was abso-freakin'-lutely amazing.
We headed back to Christchurch the next day taking a different route. This is late April and though in America we're heading into spring, New Zealand is becoming a beautiful Autumn.
I got back in time for the Armageddon cocktail party. At some point a slew of us decided to leave and have a really good Indian dinner down the block.
Next on the agenda is Armageddon Pulp Expo Day One and day two. The con was good though a little quieter than Armageddon Wellington. I'm waiting to get together with all the folk for dinner tonight and am lining up for laundry. Pretty soon now the trip will be over.
On Monday I walked around Christchurch and in the evening joined others for the Maori show, a hearty dinner and a tour of various NZ animals including the ever elusive and nocturnal Kiwi. It was a touristy but fun way of ending a wonderful vacation/convention.
Tuesday I did some more shopping around town, joined Tracy and her mom Lillian on the trip back to the airport, then boarded the Qantas jet first to Aukland and then back to Los Angeles. Frankly, as much fun as I had, I am very glad to be home. Two weeks away is a long time, but they are filled with many good memories. I took hundreds of photos, only a very few I showed here, and I also took lots of digital movies. When I get the chance I will edit them into a short 10-15 minute film and may even post that here for those interested.
I want to thank Armageddon for bringing me to New Zealand and to Jason and Beryl for taking their time to show me around their beautiful country. This was a trip to remember.
We headed back to Christchurch the next day taking a different route. This is late April and though in America we're heading into spring, New Zealand is becoming a beautiful Autumn.I got back in time for the Armageddon cocktail party. At some point a slew of us decided to leave and have a really good Indian dinner down the block.
Next on the agenda is Armageddon Pulp Expo Day One and day two. The con was good though a little quieter than Armageddon Wellington. I'm waiting to get together with all the folk for dinner tonight and am lining up for laundry. Pretty soon now the trip will be over.
On Monday I walked around Christchurch and in the evening joined others for the Maori show, a hearty dinner and a tour of various NZ animals including the ever elusive and nocturnal Kiwi. It was a touristy but fun way of ending a wonderful vacation/convention.
I want to thank Armageddon for bringing me to New Zealand and to Jason and Beryl for taking their time to show me around their beautiful country. This was a trip to remember.
Labels: Christchurch
posted by Marv @ 10:10 PM
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