Two little things....
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Topic: Two little things....
Posted By: Daizy
Subject: Two little things....
Date Posted: 13 October 2009 at 11:00am
Ok so I know there are so many threads similar to these two, thats why I am going to do 2 in 1
Next week we are coming to Christchurch - Yay! Trying to decide on things to do down there and was wondering from peoples experiences what things are a must do/good value for money, In Christchurch or on the trip down and up (down the West Coast)? Also it would be lovely to get a chance to meet some of you lovely Christchurch mums and I was wondering if anyone had any ideas of somewhere fun to meet (I was thinking Cantebury Museum, or somewhere the kids can play......???) Secondly, We are going down for MIL's 50th Birthday (and her twin) and I have no idea what to get her??? I had thought of doing a photo on canvas but FIL has already taken than idea. ------------- 
 
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Replies:
Posted By: surfergirl
Date Posted: 13 October 2009 at 11:32am
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Heaps of things to do in Chch! I don't have kids (yet) so am probably not the most qualified to answer - but..if they're into animals both http://www.oranawildlifepark.co.nz/ - Orana Park and http://www.willowbank.co.nz/ - WIllowbank are AMAZING. For kids and adults I think. Also, some of the libraries (especially http://christchurchcitylibraries.com/NewBrighton/ - New Brighton ) are amazing...and if you go to Brighton they can play on the beach and pier for FREE! Also the old cheezy Chch standards - t http://www.tram.co.nz/ - ram and http://www.gondola.co.nz - gondola rides - I think you can get a good deal if you do both. Then the http://www.ccc.govt.nz/BotanicGardens/ - gardens and feeding ducks are a good free option. If you have some cash then there is cool boats and stuff to hire at the http://www.boatsheds.co.nz/ - boatsheds . Will you have a car? What area are you based in? How much time do you have? Edited for links... ------------- http://www.alterna-tickers.com"> 
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Posted By: Peanut
Date Posted: 13 October 2009 at 11:55am
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Willowbank is much better for littles than Orana Park, easier for them to walk round and they are closer to the animals etc.
ummm, it really depends on how much you want to spend on activities. I don't rate the gondola and wouldn't take DS up there yet as he wouldn't quite get it so not worth the money for me, same with the Antarctic centre. DS loves the Muesum and its all in the central city so youc an head to the gardens for a play and feed the ducks etc. Down the coast there is a very cool little aquarium in Hoki that is well worth a look - you can feed the massive eels which kids seem to love 
Shanty town is not bad either but a little more expensive. Def keen for a meet up! -------------  
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Posted By: Daizy
Date Posted: 13 October 2009 at 12:13pm
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We are down for about a week. Not exactly sure where we are staying. I think all over as we are staying with various Aunty's of DH. Possibly staying a night in Akaroa too. And yes we will have a car as we are driving down.
I think we are looking at doing the Gondola (DH's Grandfathers ashes were recently sprinkled on the hills) with DH's family (and possibly they will pay) I don't mind spending a wee bit on activities as long as they are worth it. -------------
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Posted By: MissAngel
Date Posted: 13 October 2009 at 12:57pm
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Mmm on the willowbank topic - I was there on saturday and it was TERRIBLE! omg.. the paths were all lumpy and bumpy and the wood bits had all nails sticking out, the fencing around the water was NOT good. The animals were all fithy (and i mean real filthy) and everything smelled REAL bad. I wouldnt advise it. Orana Park is good - although it's massive, they have a big tractor train that you can get all the kids on and they drive you round the whole park (great at the end of the day when everyone's tired as)
Gondola is a must - they have an awesome 'history of canterbury' thingee at the top, also the bays and beaches are neat. Botanic gardens are awesome too, HEAPS of room to run around and be crazy. Mt Hutt is still open too if you wanna grab the shuttle and go for a ski! ------------- Alex, Thomas and Lily http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: Daizy
Date Posted: 13 October 2009 at 1:52pm
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Can you go up the Mt just to see snow? I was thinking the Antartic center would be fun as the girls have never seen snow (and I havent seen any since I was a little kid). -------------
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Posted By: surfergirl
Date Posted: 13 October 2009 at 2:10pm
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Yeah, you can totally drive to the mountains to see the snow. That would be cool! In Akaroa there's not a lot of 'activities' fo kids (that I'm aware of), but there is a general store when you can buy cheap fishing lines and fish off the wharf and a small sandy beach. And if you have the cash I would recommend (for you probably more than the kids) the http://www.canterburycat.co.nz/ - cruises . They're awesome - dolphins, birds and amazing scenery. Re a meet up, I work, so if its outside of work hours then I might be able to...(and I could get you some of that chocolate you like! LOL) ------------- http://www.alterna-tickers.com">
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Posted By: Rachael21
Date Posted: 13 October 2009 at 2:21pm
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My two are similar ages to yours and I would have to say willowbank is more appropriate than Orana Park too. We went to Orana park the other day and only saw half the animals because the kids got tired. Willowbank is great and they can get quite close to the animals.
I wouldn't bother with the antartic centre either its soooo expensive and theres not much to see. It would prob be more fun to drive to the Mountains to have a real play in the snow (and nowhere near as busy) Hanmer is really nice on the way to chch (depending if you go down the Coast or not). If you go down the Coast Kaikoura is a nice place to stop to see the seals and stuff. If you go to Akaroa, Okains bay is the coolest wee beach and about ten mins before akaroa. |
Posted By: ElfsMum
Date Posted: 13 October 2009 at 2:24pm
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yeah i wasnt that impressed by the antarctic centre either and its 48 for adults and 36 for kids...
totally keen for a meetup..when were you thinking? willowbank miles better for little ones i thought too.. ------------- Mum to two amazing boys! |
Posted By: Inlove28
Date Posted: 13 October 2009 at 3:13pm
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You can do a day trip to Hamner Springs which is beautiful if your not pregnant got in the natural hot pools they have pools for all ages...
Day trip out to the harbour, theres also great shopping in Christchurch!! Or over night trip to Kaikoura you dont need money to have a good time their either, driving up and down the coast is beautiful enough and lots of little beaches to take the kids... Awsome fish n chips too! |
Posted By: Daizy
Date Posted: 13 October 2009 at 7:50pm
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Thankyou all so much for you ideas. Sounds like theres heaps we could choose to keep up busy.
We are going down the Coast so will definately be staying in Kaikoura a night and check out the seals. I was thinking Wednesday or Thursday, probably (in 2 weeks) for a meetup?? Now does anyone have any idea on presents......?? -------------
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Posted By: noisybaby
Date Posted: 14 October 2009 at 3:10pm
| is there any magazines your mil likes. maybe a magazine subscription? or a voucher for a facial or makeover? depends what sort of things she likes ? a nice bottle of wine? |
Posted By: kellie
Date Posted: 14 October 2009 at 4:04pm
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A calender of the girls? Snapfish do great ones and they are always a hit. ------------- 
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Posted By: lisa85
Date Posted: 14 October 2009 at 4:19pm
Oooo yay I'm keen for a meet up too. What if we did lollypops or they do have a cool kids play area at the museum if you wanted to do something like that. We usually do CHCH meetups every second Weds so maybe the ladies would be keen on meeting up somewhere like the museum instead of a house. You should put something up in the meetup thread and see who's keen.  -------------  
TTC #3 since Jan 2010 - PCOS MC April 2010 |
Posted By: Daizy
Date Posted: 15 October 2009 at 11:23am
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Cool. Will do that. I was thinking more Museum as its something different?? If people would prefer going to lollipops then I'd be happy to do that too.
As for presents I am still stumped, have done the calendar for the last few years She is quite into her crafts so may have a look through some craft shops on our trip down. -------------
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Posted By: surfergirl
Date Posted: 15 October 2009 at 1:14pm
While you're here there are some awesome crafty shops at the Arts Centre - it's right next to the Museum and Botanical Gardens....so you'll be nice and close!  ------------- http://www.alterna-tickers.com">
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Posted By: lisa85
Date Posted: 15 October 2009 at 1:25pm
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I love the idea of the museum I haven't taken the girls there yet as they have always been to young but they would probably love it now -------------
TTC #3 since Jan 2010 - PCOS MC April 2010 |
Posted By: Rachael21
Date Posted: 15 October 2009 at 4:31pm
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The museum is cool in the wee discovery bit, or the gardens if its a nice day?
Hopefully I can make it too
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