and was greeted by a pleasant weather, around 18 degrees celsius.

But soon, I felt the country's pace of life is really laid-back - all terraced-houses, many trees and few people. No high-rise buidling, except hotels, and no shopping centres, just shopping outlets, almost all selling the same tourist souvenirs.

In a half-asleep mode, we took a shuttle bus from Cathedral Square to Christchurch Gondola.

The Cathedral Square

Rallies for "Peace and Justice for the Middle East" near Cathedral Square

If you take a close look at the photo above, you can see the American flag being inverted.

Seriously if they want peace for the Middle East, ask them to behave.

The top of the hill offers a bird's eye view of the city, and the cantebury plains - the largest expanse of vast land in NZ.

Riding on the Christchurch Gondola

Night came alive with the Maori performance, and sis was invited to perform to the audience. The Hangi Maoris were the first settlers of early NZ. When the Europeans later reached the shore of NZ in search of better prospects, the ferocious nature of the Maoris killed many who threatened their livelihoods.

Soon after, we were brought on a tour of the Willowbank Wildlife Reserve, and got to see NZ's national bird, kiwis! But it's a whole lot of bore!

This pig is of different breed. Its mother is ten times its size, and looked too disgusting for me to wanna take a photo of it.

Mum had teriyaki don for dinner, while I wept eating spicy pork rice set with kimchi! Sis' bbq chicken rice wasn't as tasty as mine. All for NZ$32, around the same price as Ajisen.

And yes, all NZ's beds are so comfortable; you'll just sink into them!