C V Photographs

The Avon River @ Christchurch

I think, the most romantic tipanan* ever would be Venice. Imagine riding a gondola in the sunset while being serenaded with italian love songs by a dashing gondolier. Whew! However, I think the next best thing would be a punt ride down the Avon River at Christchurch. It's probably the closest thing to Venice on the Southern Hemisphere.

A Classic Punt

According to the Punting on the Avon website, a punt is defined as: "... a flat bottomed boat that does not have a keel. Typically, a punt is approximately 21 feet (6 metres) long and 3 feet (1 metre) wide. It should be propelled by means of a pole - about 16 foot (5 metres) long - which is also used to steer the punt. This method of propulsion is known as punting; using a paddle to move along does not qualify!"

Louie, our punter, said that apart from the typical tourist rides, they can be booked for private functions and the most popular of these are wedding punts (somehow, it does not sound particularly romantic, but I'm sure it is) where the punts are adorned with a billowing white canopy and the newly weds are nestled right in the centre. Of course, they (with or without the wedding party - they may be in a separate punt) then cruise down the Avon River. Absolutely perfect.

Louie, the Punter

(odiba? gwafu!!)

I was able to ride a punt (with a female friend dahil pareho kaming kasapi pa ng SGV**) and it was indeed very romantic. It would have been perfect if Louie, the Punter (pictured above) was seated beside me, instead of standing at the stern, punting away. Now if that had happened, that would have been like - even if we were in the yuckiest of tipanans*  - the most perfect date ... EVER!

* tipanan: Filipino for the term 'dating place'

** SGV: Samahan ng mga Giniginaw twing Valentine's

Tagging this for: LP - 46