There’s a quiet joy in hearing the crisp crunch beneath your boots as you stroll along a path carpeted in red, gold, and brown maple leaves. This is exactly how I spent the autumn of 2023 - wandering through the majestic Botanic Gardens of Christchurch. From blooming roses to vibrant dahlias and hydrangeas, every corner of the garden burst with color. Towering trees framed the landscape,  wild orange cypress soared from the swamps around the water garden - it was a visual spectacle. 

The city structures had a rustic charm. I just love exploring the main town of every new place I visit. You observe the different ways of life around the world, and it widens your perspective more than ever.

 

Waking up early in the morning to catch the TranzAlpine train to Greymouth was another checkbox on my itinerary. The journey offered breathtaking views of New Zealand’s mountainous landscape, dense woodlands, wildlife and shimmering blue streams. I wonder how many people around the world have even discovered this gem of a journey. For anybody travelling to Christchurch, this would definetely be at the top of my recommendations.

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