Older People with Active Lifestyles: Adventure 2 Part 1 - Christchurch 31 December

As we were spending 7 weeks in New Zealand (owing to amazing airfares as long as we stayed that long) we decided to have a mini-break on the South Island at New Year.

Nic helped us book and was very envious as we set off :-)

We have visited the South Island before - we went with Nic and Ray in 2010. But this time we visited some of the places we haven't been to before, as well as visiting Christchurch again.

The last time we visited Christchurch was before the devastating earthquakes. A lot was different, and yet a lot was the same. The adaptability of people and animals is amazing.

This picture gallery shares a few of the sights and experiences.

Things that haven't changed

The historic tram still runs through the city - but this time much of the commentary was about the quake and the rebuilding

The beautiful Botanical gardens are still lovely - I thought of my Mom as we walked through the Rose Garden

Punting on the Avon is still a tourist attraction

A lovely sculpture in the gardens

But a lot has changed

Construction everywhere you look

I remember sitting in this street having a drink last time - now it is slowly starting to open after being closed for almost 5 years.

Empty lots and half demolished buildings wait for the infrastructure like water and sewers to be completed before rebuilding can happen. And of course, wait for money from the relief fund.

The Cathedral

The cathedral stood as a beacon of hope after the first quake, but crumbled in the second. It has been deconsecrated and as our tram driver said "is now the biggest pigeon loft in the S Hemisphere"

Plans to rebuild have been dogged by controversy and there is still no announcement on what will be done - will it be rebuilt in a modern style or reconstructed as it was? Who knows? The Church needs to make up its mind before the CBD dies with the ruins.