Submitted by Ashley Gold on the 2017 winter session program in New Zealand sponsored by the Department of Computer and Information Sciences…
Though we had just traveled for over 24 hours, when we touched down in New Zealand we started taking in the sights right away. The city of Christchurch and the surrounding area is indescribably beautiful. After our first day of relaxing and trying to catch up with jet lag, we got up bright and early to see the city and take a gondola ride up to the Port Hills. We got the best of both worlds as we were able to see the downtown area that is teeming with restaurants, coffee shops, and welcoming people, and we got to see the rural hills in the distance that offer such a great view.
After some much needed sleep, our next adventure was to the Rakaia Gorge and Castle Hill, about an hour and a half from where we’re staying. We hiked up a trail at the gorge that was not grueling but challenged our endurance at times. Several of us slipped in the mud as we ascended the mountains, but all of us agreed that the view was more than worth it. Lunch and an extremely fun jet boat ride at the end of the hike were the caps to an incredible morning and afternoon in the gorge. Next, we went to Castle Hill, where there were giant boulders that we could climb (some of us took naps atop these boulders). This area looked very Lord of the Rings-esque, and we found out that some of the Chronicles of Narnia were filmed here.
Though I’ve only been in New Zealand for a week, I feel like I have seen so much beauty. I can’t wait to experience the rest of the month.