Botanic Garden, Museum, and Hike

Nearing the end of the course (sigh!), the class explored the Christchurch Botanic  Gardens and Canterbury Museum. The Gardens contain quite an assortment of exotic and native plants. Many of these plants came from around the world, but in addition to the exotics, there was a section of New Zealand native plants. Here the class could review plants that they have seen  on the trip.

The class in the gardens

Giant Sequoia

The Canterbury museum has quite an assortment of natural and cultural history. One highlight was displays of Moa skeletons and a display of the Haast eagle that hunted them.  There was also a display of the Pau House, that a couple in Bluff decorated with Paua shells and was a famous house in New Zealand.

Students looking at display at Garden visitor center

Maori display

Pau house

To my delight – there was an exhibit on spiders in New Zealand.  I enjoyed this display = so please forgive the number of spider pictures below. The only native, venomous spider in New Zealand is called the Katipō, These spiders are rare and only found on beaches.

Jumping spider

Katipo spider

After lunch, we headed up into the Port Hills for one last hike.  This look out point allowed us to view Lyttleton harbor and the Canterbury plains at the same time. A southerly blew in and it was a bit cold and windy at the top. We did see an awesome 360 view. 

Gatorwaka and peewakawaka

Lyttleton Harbour

On the edge (but safe!)

Another view

Of course, we had tea time on the way home. Cheers Dr. H