East Meets West

Riccarton, Christchurch. Jan 2009. Ajr

You can’t miss the splendid bulk of the International Buddhist Association Centre on Riccarton Road. This is one of my favourite community buildings in Christchurch. Designed by Christchurch architects, Warren and Mahoney, it draws inspiration from the Dunhuang Caves – a series of over 490 caves, Buddhist temples and statues cut into the rock face near the Taklamakan Desert in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in north-west China, said to be the most comprehensive repository of Buddhist art and history in the world. Built at a cost on NZ$4.5 million, the prominent Riccarton centre, features a beautiful Indian sandstone façade with niches for bronze Buddhist statues. Inside there is a light-filled vegetarian café and teahouse, an art gallery, library, and prayer hall complete with a huge jade Buddha; and along the front, a line of my favourite ginkgo trees. www.warrenandmahoney.com

To Market, To Market

I can think of few nicer ways to while away a lazy autumn Saturday than indulging in treats at Canterbury Farmers’ Market, which is held every week in the grounds of Riccarton House in Christchurch. Farmers’ Markets have taken off in New Zealand – most bigger towns now have one – and they’re a great place to pick up fresh and handmade goodies – everything, in this case, from organic vegetables, fruit, flowers, local olive oils, preserves, breads, French and local cheeses, fresh organic meats, free range eggs, local chocolates, delicious little cup cakes and much much more. Factor in live music, good coffee, a streamside setting, a nearby bush walk filled with native birds and 600-year-old trees and one of Christchurch’s finest historic homes (built in 1856) and you have the perfect autumn morning. Best treat of the day: the Portuguese egg tart with coffee. http://www.canterburyfarmersmarket.co.nz/ http://www.riccartonhouse.co.nz/