New Zealand was never really on my bucket list as I believed it shared so much
resemblance to Australia. My initial thoughts were why go to a country that was so alike when I
could go overseas to another country for an entire different cultural experience. I was proved entirely wrong in this case and my speculation went out the window. That's what I love about travelling, it opens your eyes and mind.
Driving from Christchurch to Queenstown
just showed how beautiful the country was and how everything looked like it came from a photo in a book.
Touching down in Christchurch after a short
3 hour flight from Sydney, we made our way to our rental car provider. Travelling in the
south islands of New Zealand is best done via driving as public transport is not widely
available and taking a tour every day is probably not viable.
A short drive to
the city centre and we were in Christchurch Central. After the major earthquake they had
back in 2011, the city was left badly damaged and till today they are still
rebuilding the city. I hear it’s very different to how it used to be back
before the earthquake. This is the remains of the famous church.
The town is relatively quiet on a weekend
with not much people in sight. However, there are people around, just not as
much as there are on weekdays.
Our first lunch in Christchurch was
probably my favourite meal of the entire trip. The café was right behind
the hotel, having only opened less than a few months ago. We didn’t want to go
too far given it was already too late into the afternoon and was approaching
dinner time.
Unknown
Chapter is a coffee roaster who brews their coffee on site. The space is airy and filled with plenty of
natural light from the floor to ceilings glass windows.
Lunch service was closed so we decided to
have a light meal from their display cabinets.
The freshly baked goodies and desserts on display looked
delicious but I held myself back and stuck with a savory option to save stomach space for dinner.
The 'spicy sausage roll' was served on a plate with
a small side salad and their own home made tomato relish. A huge sausage roll
that was much bigger than the frozen ones I’m accustomed to. The layers of
pastry were flaky and buttery. The meat was moist and well seasoned with a light spicy kick. Just so delicious especially eaten
with their tomato relish which was also one of the best I’ve tried out of this trip.
The ‘American sandwich’ containing corned beef, cheese and pickles encased in a toasted bread was pretty
awesome too in terms of flavour and tastiness.
As their coffee beans are freshly roasted
on premises it does make a difference. The 'cappuccino' is strong but smooth and packs a punch. It is much more bitter than the coffee we get
back in Sydney and a cup will definitely wake you up.
A spacious and relaxing cafe in the CBD
that’s not too crowded with a decent menu on offer for breakfast and lunch. If only we had so much time we could just sit there and watch the world go by.
Where?
254 Saint Asaph St
Christchurch Central 8011
New Zealand
Phone no: 027 201 5996
Opening Hours
Daily
6:30am – 5:00pm
Website