Day 17- Visiting Christchurch

The day started off with the discovery that the noise that was being made in the tire last night was indeed resulting in a FLAT TIRE, but only on one side, so Philip said. 

Flat tire "on one side"

Fiona and Janet at Breakfast

A group was going to Akaroa for the day, but we had to get the tire fixed. 

The group that went to Akaroa

Susan and Richard heading to Akaroa

We did go the next day, but the weather was not beautiful as it was this day. 

Philip working on changing the flat

In order to get the spare tire off, the luggage rack had to be removed. Fortunately Richard had the proper tools for this to be accomplished, and we have it on our list to find our own socket set so we can change a spare without others around. Philip called around and went to visit a Tyre shop, who patched the hole caused by a wallboard screw that we probably picked up in the parking lot of the restaurant where we ate last evening. They had remodeled the building. 

Additionally I had a nail appointment, so had to complete that before we could venture out to the city.

My lunch at McDonalds- Chicken wrap and custard pie

We knew this would be a sad day as we went to visit the Central Business District in Christchurch which had been so terribly damaged by two big earthquakes in September 2010 and February 2011, followed by one in December 2011. No lives were lost in the first quake, but 185 people died in the February quake. 

Sept 4, 2011

Feb 22, 2011 Quake

The ground sunk

Progress seems to have been slow in reconstruction, and even in removal of existing totally damaged buildings. Not having been to Christchurch before, it is hard to imagine it a busy city.

Construction everywhere. 

We took the Blue Bus down to the Pallet Pavilion where we started our walk. Everything right now is temporary pending decisions and rebuilding, so there are a lot of creative approaches to making the city usable again.

Removable arches at Pallet Pavilion

These arches can be moved and used to create covered or uncovered structures. I am not sure how they are used other than as an entrance to the Pallet Pavilion, but the description is as mentioned. 

Cafe tables at Pallet Pavilion

Cafe at Pallet Pavilion

We walked around the city and then went to the Quake City Exhibition which was very informative, but very sad. A cab back to the hotel completed the afternoon. 

Captain Cook in Victoria Park

Big saggy building boarded up. 

Philip at the River Avon

Another closed damaged building

185 Empty Chairs  Memorial

A photo in the museum 

Cathedral 

The Chalice outside the Cathedral

Temporary Replacement "Cardboard Cathedral"

Stained Glass in the Cathedral and the cardboard tubes

Decorations on the chain link fencing

RESTART- the temporary shopping center

Made of containers

The tram is limited operational now

Dinner was tapas at a South American Fusion restaurant with Michael and Patsy, Susan and Richard, and Dave. The service was very slow, so we didn't get back to the hotel until quite late.