Tues, March 21

We slept in and headed out to explore Christchurch. The weather forecast was for rain all day, but we only had to dodge rain drops until about 2:00 when it actually started raining. However it was very windy as the southerly was arriving. We missed out punting on the Avon River due to the wind. 

On Feb 22nd 2011, the second of 2 earthquakes struck Christchurch. Though is was less powerful (6.3) than the one in Sept 2010 (7.1) it caused more damage and deaths (185). We walked around and saw several of the rebuilding sites. In the afternoon, we toured the "Quake city" which is a museum dedicated to the the local earthquakes, the rescuers and to those who died. We also visited the memorial wall honoring those who perished.  

The Chalice 

The Christchurch Cathedral being rebuilt

The paper cathedral

 The paper chapel is made out of paper tubes. It was finished in 2013 and serves the people while the cathedral is being rebuilt.  We talked to a gentleman in the church, who lives here. He was very moved by the earthquake museum. It was obvious he was very affected by the disaster. 

We walked along the Avon river and a bit of the botanical park.

We did catch a group punting on the river. It was the last group they let on the river.

Punting on the Avon river

Memorial wall

Lunch was at a place called the Riverside market, which was a large food mall. It was built in 2019.

In the afternoon we kept out of the rain in our room. We then ventured out and found a store where Dennis could find a long sleeved sun protection shirt. (He left his in Wanaka) Then battled the rain showers and wind to a pub where we had a great wood fired pizza. Then a gelato as we walked home.  We get up EARLY tomorrow for our flight to Cairns Australia.