Four Rings in New Zealand

New Zealand is known as Middle Earth in many-Oscars-Academy-Awards-winning Lord of the Rings trilogy. The most captivating and magical settings for the world-class movie making are abundant here. Hobbiton, Mt. Doom, Eregion Hills and the pillars of Argonath were all filmed here. So, when I received an invitation to a wedding in Christchurch, New Zealand, I didn’t hesitate. I made the plan to attend the wedding and explore Middle Earth.

Christchurch

As soon as I cleared Custom at Christchurch International Airport, I shopped for the suitable rental car. Avis had the 2009 Audi A4 convertible in its fleet. It would have been a great choice, but the car was not available. Others offered Hyundai Accent or similar Asian cars. My eyes caught an advertisement in the Welcome to New Zealand brochure. There was a car rental company just outside the airport offering older European cars; Audi, Mercedes, and BMW. They happened to have only one European car left. It was a 2000 Audi A3. For relatively the same amount of money, I had to choose between a brand new Hyundai Accent and a 9-year old Audi A3.

Slipping into the driver seat of this well maintained pre-sportback A3, I got a rush of De Ja Vu; the past memories of driving my 1990’s Audi 90S. The pneumatic door lock system, the large side-by-side red LED climate control displays, the Audi Symphony stereo system featuring the unique design of a single circular button in the center, and the scent of Audi interior from this generation transported me back into the 1990’s.

This 20-valve engine idled smoothly as if it were brand new, despite the fact that the odometer glowed 155,700 km red digits. Putting the gear lever into D position, stepping on the accelerator slowly, and turning the 3 spoke steering wheel, I navigated my way out of the parking lot and began my Middle Earth driving. The inner child inside me woke up jubilantly.

Christchurch, near the center of the east coast of the South Island, east of the Canterbury Plains, was the ideal place to start my exploration, not only because of its historic importance but also because of its attractive surroundings and activities for thrill-seeking tourists. Skiing and snowboarding on steepest mountains, whale watching, rafting, rock and ice climbing, and swimming with dolphins are all within a few hours drive from this English-style garden city with its many 19th century stone buildings.

Driving towards the city center I passed Avon River on Oxford Terrace. This river, with its urban-park-filled banks, flows through the city center. A classic Edwardian punt carried a group of tourists on a city tour. Colombo Street in downtown took me right to the heart of Christchurch; the Cathedral Square. The compact size of this 5-door A3 made the navigating through one-way streets of downtown and sharing the roads with vintage trams a breeze.

In the Cathedral Square, an outdoor market with stalls offering New Zealand wood-ware, hand knitting, jewelry, clothing, and much more was filled with locals and tourists. Straddling the square, one can make new friends during a game of chess, where the chess pieces were as tall as a 4-year old boy.

Christchurch has a special importance to car enthusiasts. Every February, Skope Classic, the Southern Festival of Speed, is held at Ruapuna Raceway. There won’t be any new lap record set at this race. Classic Allard’s, MG’s, Jaguar’s, and other vintage cars are raced to commemorate the glorious past and provide a family pass-time.

Following a dark red vintage tram heading west on Worcester Street, I drove around the perimeter of the 159 year old Hagley Park on the way to my hotel.

Four Rings in New Zealand

New Zealand is known as Middle Earth in many-Oscars-Academy-Awards-winning Lord of the Rings trilogy. The most captivating and magical settings for the world-class movie making are abundant here. Hobbiton, Mt. Doom, Eregion Hills and the pillars of Argonath were all filmed here. So, when I received an invitation to a wedding in Christchurch, New Zealand, I didn’t hesitate. I made the plan to attend the wedding and explore Middle Earth.

Christchurch

As soon as I cleared Custom at Christchurch International Airport, I shopped for the suitable rental car. Avis had the 2009 Audi A4 convertible in its fleet. It would have been a great choice, but the car was not available. Others offered Hyundai Accent or similar Asian cars. My eyes caught an advertisement in the Welcome to New Zealand brochure. There was a car rental company just outside the airport offering older European cars; Audi, Mercedes, and BMW. They happened to have only one European car left. It was a 2000 Audi A3. For relatively the same amount of money, I had to choose between a brand new Hyundai Accent and a 9-year old Audi A3.

Slipping into the driver seat of this well maintained pre-sportback A3, I got a rush of De Ja Vu; the past memories of driving my 1990’s Audi 90S. The pneumatic door lock system, the large side-by-side red LED climate control displays, the Audi Symphony stereo system featuring the unique design of a single circular button in the center, and the scent of Audi interior from this generation transported me back into the 1990’s.

This 20-valve engine idled smoothly as if it were brand new, despite the fact that the odometer glowed 155,700 km red digits. Putting the gear lever into D position, stepping on the accelerator slowly, and turning the 3 spoke steering wheel, I navigated my way out of the parking lot and began my Middle Earth driving. The inner child inside me woke up jubilantly.

Christchurch, near the center of the east coast of the South Island, east of the Canterbury Plains, was the ideal place to start my exploration, not only because of its historic importance but also because of its attractive surroundings and activities for thrill-seeking tourists. Skiing and snowboarding on steepest mountains, whale watching, rafting, rock and ice climbing, and swimming with dolphins are all within a few hours drive from this English-style garden city with its many 19th century stone buildings.

Driving towards the city center I passed Avon River on Oxford Terrace. This river, with its urban-park-filled banks, flows through the city center. A classic Edwardian punt carried a group of tourists on a city tour. Colombo Street in downtown took me right to the heart of Christchurch; the Cathedral Square. The compact size of this 5-door A3 made the navigating through one-way streets of downtown and sharing the roads with vintage trams a breeze.

In the Cathedral Square, an outdoor market with stalls offering New Zealand wood-ware, hand knitting, jewelry, clothing, and much more was filled with locals and tourists. Straddling the square, one can make new friends during a game of chess, where the chess pieces were as tall as a 4-year old boy.

Christchurch has a special importance to car enthusiasts. Every February, Skope Classic, the Southern Festival of Speed, is held at Ruapuna Raceway. There won’t be any new lap record set at this race. Classic Allard’s, MG’s, Jaguar’s, and other vintage cars are raced to commemorate the glorious past and provide a family pass-time.

Following a dark red vintage tram heading west on Worcester Street, I drove around the perimeter of the 159 year old Hagley Park on the way to my hotel.