Since Christchurch is well-known as the garden city of NZ, there are certainly many beautiful gardens worth to visit. On the first day of new year, sis and I spent the warm afternoon wandering around two of Christchurch's attractions -- Mona Vale, and Riccarton House & Bush.

Mona Vale is one of Christchurch's gracious houses and public garden. The pretty English garden and landscaped lawn along the Avon river make the houses look so elegant. How nice if I have a house along the river too! I will kayak everyday, feed the ducks by the river bank, enjoy the serene environment... *day dreaming* There is a fernery and strange-looking aka artistic Gazebo at the edge of the lawn. Roses are blooming in the rose garden, red, pink, white, yellow, champagne... colorful! It was simply a delightful place to visit!

There are 2 historic buildings featuring Christchurch's premier heritage in Riccarton House & Bush. The historic Victorian homestead is surrounded by garden, native bush and Avon River. Lovely! We took a 20 minutes return walk into the ancient native forest, which is Canterbury's sole remnant of Kahikatea floodplain forest. The tall kahikatea trees are about 300-600 years old! The tranquility of the groove made our evening worthwhile.

Lets the embarkment begin! (^^)9