Christchurch

An unusual memorial to those who died in the Christchurch earthquake. 185 chairs all shapes and sizes painted white to remember the victims of the 2011. They stand on the ground where once stood a church – the church was destroyed by the earthquake.

Across the road the cardboard cathedral was pointed out to us.

The other side of the cardboard cathedral. It can seat 700 hundred people. The ‘A’ frame incorporates eighty six cardboard tubes each tube weighing 500 kilos. The picture is slightly off center because I took it from a moving vehicle, and we couldn’t stop.

This picture was taken from the internet – the original church on this site was demolished because of the amount of damage to it during the 2011 earthquake.

Artists are encouraged to beautify bare walls left after damaged buildings had been removed.

Part of the original Christchurch cathedral, which was badly damaged in the earthquake. I suppose it still is the cathedral because it is still consecrated.  Nobody was able to tell me if it would be repaired or demolished.

Other damaged buildings were being kept upright by placing sea containers two high to support the outer walls of the buildings.

Yet again, others were being held up with girders.

We had lunch in a shopping centre built out of sea freight containers. All the buildings in these photographs have been created by using containers.

This area was for banks and the post office.

Maureen and I sat in this area, which was an eating area for various types of take away food. To my right was a small bar with two containers cut open to allow the air to flow through the seated area. The bar sold draught beer, which might be an important fact for some readers – it was for me when I was there, it was a warm day . . . . .

Christchurch was far from miserable. Everyone we saw seemed happy and the place had plenty of spending tourists .I did hear that the council wanted to remove the sea container emergency shopping area, but the area has become a tourist attraction as a symbol of Christchurch’s fortitude.

Rebuilding is in full swing everywhere.

It was a beautiful day for walking across the River Avon – very English.

You could feed the ducks or just sit quiet under the trees. The river flowed gently.

Fortunately the war memorial survived.

Our driver / guide took us the scenic route back to Akaroa and our ship. The scenery was breathtaking. Every bend brought something new to photograph.

We stopped to admire the view towards the harbour only to see a London bus, which means someone took a wrong turn between Dulwich Library and Oxford Circus.

We’d crossed the hills and were now down on the flat driving to Akaroa and our tender boat. You can just see the two ships anchored.

An enjoyable day, and the ending couldn’t be better – it was an Italian night on the ship.

Our table stewards – port & starboard, dressed for Italian night.