Christchurch

We left lake Tekapo at 9am, and the chilly evening weather from the night before carried onto the next day. Mangee whacked the heaters up as we snuggled into the bus to keep warm. We had a mid morning breakfast stop, where Steph bought a over expensive gingerbread man, and we all talked about what we were expecting from Christchurch.

The drive was fairly short so we didn't have to wait long to see as we arrived just after lunch. Izzy would be carrying on to the airport in Christchurch, so once again our group became smaller, as Annie was also going to stay in Christchurch when we left the following day, because she wanted to do some from farm work in New Zealand.

We were also hugely sad at the loss of Mangee, our driver, as he needed the following day as a rest day. He was the best driver by far, and if it wasn't for time constraints, we would have stayed as long as we needed to be on Mangees bus. He was so passionate and good at his job, it was such a shame to have to leave him behind!

We were staying at the first YMCA on the trip, and it was beautifully decorated with artful bright graffiti.

As we were only spending one day in Christchurch we wasted no time taking a look around the city, and the wreckage that was left after the earthquake.

We had been previously warned that Christchurch was still a bit of a ghost town after the event, but it really was as if the natural disaster had only struck weeks before. Everywhere you looked there were buildings stripped down so you could see right inside, and mounds of rubble here and there. 

One building that prominently took center stage down the road from our hostel was the old police building that towered over the city. We noticed signs to say the roads nearby could be closed the following day because they would be imploding the remains of the building which was exciting for us but quite a sobering reminder of the impact the earthquake had on Christchurch .

We saw some really sad sights, such as the 185 chair memorial dedicated to all the lives lost in the earthquake, each seat belonging to one of the victims. The baby chair sitting right at the front of the memorial was especially hard to stomach, and it left a few of our group feeling quite weepy.

It was not all sadness though, as the city shows signs of prosperous return, such as the cardboard cathedral that proves any materials can be used in this day and age, and also the shipping container mall, that is bright with shops and street food. It had reclaimed materials such as bells from local churches that were destroyed made into upside down plant pots, and these types of innovative ideas could put Christchurch back on track, perhaps in an eco friendly, sustainable way which has rarely been seen before.

Cardboard Pews

 The sculptures and street art really are something to be noted, a glimpse of colour and hope rising from the chaos and wreckage, works of art that have a message appreciated on every street corner.

As we walked home we saw a spectacular sunset, and also a local church that looked as if it had been dissected and left half way through. Obviously affected by the disaster.

That evening we cooked food, reflected and lifted spirits by playing our new favourite game 'fun' again.

The next day we left Christchurch, and with it Annie and friends to see the police building be demolished.