28h after Take Off and with a short 4h lay-over in Singapore, New Zealand appears in the side windows of the plane.
The overcast sky present during the recent hours carefully opens. Just in time, to shoot the first photos from above.





It is winter time. The Kiwis expect „a real winter comparable to the one in UK“, a long and a strong winter.
In other words the „Power of the Commonwealth“ reaches half-way round. Even with weather.

Canterbury was snow covered last in 2005. The climate change may bring that back this year.
Let’s see in a couple of months. Currently temperature shows 3..7 C, some rain, some sun.
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Immigration is easy. Even if selected by customs. Relaxed, friendly. At least the customs officer I was talking to didn’t behave like an overly important gate keeper to New Zealand. OK. I don’t bring anything in they are after, only a sh..load of technical stuff for my camera. And I definitely will not leave that, when going back in 6 weeks.
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Heading towards the Ho(s)tel. Early check-in.
Jailhouse Accommodation, a Hostel in a historic jail. That was taking my attraction back in Germany. Something different.
Name and advertisement are correct.
My single cell is at max. 7 sqm. A table, a chair, a bed. No heating.The linen looks jail’ish, but keeps you warm at night.





Shower & Toilet is accessible for all inmates. Very clean.
Funny. A perfect choice to begin my vacation at an unusual country.
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You can rent bikes. American flyer style. High handle, one gear transmission. Luckily no real hills in Christchurch.
Riding towards Downtown.
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I didn’t expect the quake did hit Christchurch that hard. Downtown is closed for renovation. A fence runs around the area. Police guarded entrances. For workers only. It is Sunday. Looking inside shows no traffic at all. Like a ghost town.





My goal was to take some photos of Christchurch Cathedral with some new technology - Checking the difference compared with 2005.
The clock tower collapsed during the quake. No way - no entry. Have to return in a couple of years again.
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