Cleary we didn't pack for a dressy night out |
As with many good tales, the story of how we came to have dinner on a tram car in Christchurch begins long before the day it happened. In this case, the story began this past April when we were in Milan and out of the corner of our eye, we saw a similar tram car pass us. We tried to book the 90 euro experience for the next night, but found out reservations had to be made at three days in advance because that's when you had to choose your meal. That was out. In three days we would be back in New Jersey.
I made a mental note that if we ever go back to Milan, I want to do book that experience before we leave home.
Fast forward to nearly six months later. While looking at the rack of tourist brochures I saw one for a similar experience in Christchurch for $125NZ. Before you ask, 90 euros in April was about $92 (now it is $95), and $125NZ is $73USD. Both are more than we typically spend on a meal. I decided to leave it in the hands of fate, if I could book the dinner it was meant to be, if not, we'd do something else that night.
Traveling has taught us the hardest meal to figure out is dinner on our first night in a new city. Dining that night on the tram car would solve that problem.
We stopped by the office to make sure we didn't have to choose a meal in advance (since we knew the kitchen would be miniscule) and to check out the menu. The website listed their winter menu, but as it was now spring, the menu had changed to something Don would enjoy more.
It is a three course meal, plus a welcome drink and appetizers (starters) of the chef's choice. There are three options each for entrees, main courses, and desserts, which you choose on the bus. For an additional fee you can order a wine pairing with each course.
The tram was filled with locals celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, anything worthy of a nice night out. Our table was across from a mother and her two daughters who were extending the matriarch's 80th birthday celebrations by being tourists in their backyard. They were from Christchurch and marveled at how the sites looked different perched up high in the tram as it wove through their city. We talked about the earthquakes of 2010 and 2011 and how the daughter still has some PTSD from the quakes and the aftershocks.
The evening relaxingly unfolded over 2 1/2 hours. Conductor Paul slowly glided us along the four-kilometer course, looking it three times and turning it around so what was seen by those on the left, were now seen by those on the right. We were the only tram running, which made it easier to do these fancy moves. About 90 minutes into the ride (after the main course, but before dessert) we paused in Cathedral Junction so people could use the restroom and stretch our legs. Lara took this picture of us during the rest stop.
Kitchen |
Bathroom |
Here are some views from the tram:
At some point, I suspect it was when we were making small talk when we paused in Cathedral Junction, we got to talking to Conductor Paul. I asked if they have a cable car museum, similar to the one we went to the day before in Wellington. He said no, but he offered to take us to their depot after the tour to see the "ladies."
Map of the route |
I asked Paul if I could take his picture in front of his favorite tram. He chose the one we rode that night. It is his favorite route. Some others don't like it because you have to drive extra slowly so the chef can prepare the food. He likes it.
As it was early Spring in Christchurch, they were gearing up for the tourist season, especially the cruise ships.
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