Welcome to the Hanham Family website.

02/14/12    New Zealand Trip

Part 1 - Christchurch Area

We had a wonderful trip to the South Island of New Zealand!  We drove about 1500 miles in 9 days and enjoyed breathtakingly beautiful scenery.  Although it was summer in New Zealand, temperatures were cool enough that some nights we turned on heat in our rooms and enjoyed hot chocolate. 


Weather was perfect for a kite festival at the beach in Christchurch


What a land of contrasts!  Snow-capped mountains, glaciers, tundra, prairies with wheat, grape vines, pristine blue ocean water, thousands of sheep and cattle grazing, green valleys, etc.  Mountains covered with evergreens that remind us of Canada also have palm trees growing in the lower elevations.


Windbreaks composed of evergreen trees were trimmed and sculpted.


We enjoyed a walk around the lovely town of Darfield and stopped by a church




We walked along rugged coastlines near Kaikoura and communed with NZ fur seals and sea lions.  We were disappointed that we did not see penguins in areas where that was a possibility.  The NZ penguins are small and very shy, so they are difficult to spot.








Richard at Lyttleton, NZ, port.   This is the main harbor for the South Island and the place where most of the early Antarctic expeditions used as their departure point.


Damage from the 2011 earthquake is visible in Christchurch.  It was so sad to see!  We could not get near the Christchurch Cathedral – the main downtown attraction. 




This church near our motel is still being repaired. 


In the midst of the devastation, the lovely Avon River flows peacefully.


The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul. . .  Psalms 23:1-3a


LEFT, Suzanna!  Stay on the LEFT side of the road!  NO, your OTHER LEFT!!


It appears that some church denominations in New Zealand have joined together. Anglicans and Baptists meet here! 


Trinity Church has double meaning – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and Anglican-Methodist-Presbyterian!





To see pictures of the West Coast area, click here

To see pictures of the Fiordland area, click here

To see pictures of the Southland and Catlins areas, click here



To see more photos, find us on Facebook (Richard-Suzanna Hanham)!

Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.

If you have questions or comments, please e-mail us at webmaster@proverbs356.net