Christchurch is Christchurch....an icon...after Auckland (and maybe Queenstown), perhaps the most recognized name in all of New Zealand...."life" in Christchurch revolves around the Cathedral Square....we had planned to spend time there, drinking a "cuppa", a beer, a wine....and watch the world go by....I had been unable to get any reservations in the "centre ville" due to the multiple earthquakes which hit Christchurch 2008 to 2010. I wrongly assumed, without triple checking, that this situation was by now rectified or was only affecting lodging.....Tom and I sauntered downtown to enjoy the day people watching, etc.....only to find the following devastation...
The Cathedral, minus its spire and bell tower....the debate continues whether or not to rebuild on current location or to relocate.....the land underneath most of Christchurch is swamp....everything within blocks of this "hub" has been destroyed or demolished....no restaurants, no bars, no nothing...
This is the CERA office....This trip downtown Christchurch was very depressing....took us both by surprise....somehow I had thought that the government was overreacting....that things could not possibly be this bad, two years later,...but, in fact, given the underground water (perhaps like our Charleston, SC), there is caution about rebuilding in the same place....or at least building in a different manner.....i.e., concrete breaks, does not bend nor sway with the movement of a quake....building codes are much more strict in EVERY country than they were 100 years ago....and a very important fact....New Zealand is YOUNGER!!!! than the U.S.!!!
We retreat 1/2 mile or so to the famed Art Gallery...
a beautiful structure....in modern contrast.....
Only to discover that it, too, has suffered perhaps irreparable damage..
A few more blocks, we see that City Hall survived;;;
and the Avon River, named after the original in England, is intact...and yet a few more blocks, another encouraging word......
A significant tribute and info display about those who have an "invisible" disability.
Lunch time....water is always provided in such a manner....sometimes in a wine bottle or a carafe, but usually in this type bottle....should you need a refill, the waitress may do so or you may do so at a nearby tap...
Tom is smiling .....time to eat again!
Hooray!!! The Botanic Gardens are not only open, not damaged by the earthquakes...but they are having an annual flower show!
The Garden Clubs had created miniature "rooms" to portray different flower "styles"......These were very popular with those in attendance....many "oohs" and "aahs"
Little did we know that coupled with the flower show was the weekly "Sundays in the Garden"....with live entertainment for 2 hours....the theme this week was "Flower Power" which featured music from the 60's.....focusing on Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, Peter, Paul and Mary, Simon and Garfunckel.......and the whole crowd, perhaps 700 or more, were singing every word! We felt right at home!
Caught my eye...this one is for you, Kara!
Christ's College borders the Gardens....a sign indicated that Evensong would be at 5:30 p.m.
We entered the lovely campus....which had been touched by the earthquakes, but already repaired and plans for expansion underway.
The Christchurch Cathedral, which was a victim of the earthquake, is now using the chapel at the College for their services...the two boys below were part of the Cathedral Choir which performed the Evensong.
Top off an emotional, yet fulfilling, day with dinner outside at one of the very few restaurants downtown to remain open after the quakes.
