Christchurch NZ – sharing your stories and updates
Replies: 34 - Last Post: Mar 25, 2013 8:38 PM Last Post By: kereru
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15
We were in Christchurch for five days at the end of March. Our hostel had just reopened following post-earthquake renovations. The Revival Bar on Victoria Street was near the hostel, so we got some souvlaki from the Lebanese food truck and had a drink. Worth a visit if you're in the area, which is on the fringe of the red zone--it's safe to walk around, but a lot of buildings are visibly damaged and businesses have relocated or shut. We only felt one earthquake just after we arrived. Freaked my husband out, but it was brief and not too strong.It was pretty sobering to see what remains of the CBD through the perimeter fence. Feels like the damage is much more recent than it is, such is the pace of demolition. We had lunch at the container mall on Cashel, that's worth a visit too. It's great to see pop ups and alternative venues and just happening across them in unlikely places. We took a day trip to Lyttelton--the container port is up and running again, but I didn't see any cruise ships, so they may still be going Akaroa. It sustained a fair amount of damage, but the high street has some great shops, cafes and a pop up bar, and the coastal walking trail is still accessible, so that was an enjoyable day out.
I hope the city can rebuild itself into something even better and I admire the spirit of those involved who just want to get on with things and move forward. Christchurch is definitely worth seeing and I hope to return one day.
16
Just back from a visit to Christchurch. I admire the resilience and pluck of the city's residents getting on with life and their future. The inner city requires a lot of deconstruction and reconstruction in the forthcoming years. Christchurch Cathedral was very sadly being reduced in structure the week of our visit. The Cashel popup mall is helping to provide some flair and fun to the city meantime. Hagley Park with its Botancial Gardens is looking a picture with its autumnal tones among its green oasis. The conservatory adjacent to the rose gardens there remains closed.The Arts Centre remains closed indefinitely, as does the Gondola. The Museum is currently closed. Lyttleton Port is in operation for freight shipping. Cruise ships had all been diverted to Akaroa harbour for the season. Wider city attractions remain open including the Antartica Centre, Orana and Willowbank wildlife parks continue as usual. All transport services are operating except for the tramline attraction. Airport construction and expansion is creating something of a maze around the existing site at present; but entirely functional all the same.
17
I have really enjoyed reading this thread. I am currently living in Christchurch. As a "local" who has been here since the earthquakes started (September 2010 would you believe it!) it is fascinating to see the responses on her; the most interesting was the individual that noted the local's were so used to earthquakes on Jan 6/7 of this year. I don't remember those so they were probably just standard aftershocks; but the fact that they are just standard aftershocks to me is quite a saddening thought!On the other hand, earthquakes are few and far between now. We go weeks without feeling one. They are really dying off.
19
I am thinking of coming to New Zealand in August or September. This might be the only time I get to see the country. Is it worth coming to Christchurch? Or should I skip it? It doesn't sound dangerous but I was googling Christchurch and I saw that they have had more earthquakes recently.20
Christchurch deserves a visit. It's so sad to think that the earthquakes & aftershocks have deterred people from visiting such a wonderful NZ city. I did read where Christchurch is suffering a down-turn from lack of visitors ( to previous years) meaning that businesses and jobs will struggle to survive. Although I went for a non-tourism purpose, I especially enjoyed seeing how well the city is coping and how enterprising the folk of Christchurch are at rebuilding their lives and their society again.We drove through Lyttleton tunnel (both ways) for Sunday night fish and chips. This historical port town also deserves praise and a visit. Much of the town got munted. But there are a couple of wonderful pop-up container bars,and the fish and chips shop located in a portacom has re-opened.
Christchurch international airport is expanding and set to be fully operational from the new additions anytime soon. As to how the Christchurch Cathedral will shape up in future is currently a moot point.
22
Hi,I have just been to Christchurch and it really is a lovely city. I didn't feel any earthquakes while there. There's the Antarctic Centre, the Arts centre, lots of lovely cafes...
Akaroa is one of the most beautiful places I've ever been to. It's an hour out on the Banks Peninsula.
26
An aunt of mine who lives on South Island tells me that since the earthquake there have been some 5000 aftershocks!27
My sister came to New Zealand to visit me from the UK last month; I planned a two week trip around the South Island and Christchurch was our first stop. I put Christchurch on our itenery despite many people telling us not to go there as there is "nothing left to see"; I am glad that I didn't head that advice.We had an amazing stay in Christchurch; we met some of the most friendly locals that I have met in New Zealand who were open about their experience of the quake and shared their personal stories with us.
It was an eye opening experience to see the red zone; there was a quiet air of loss, but this was overpowered by a strong sense of hope and a community that were coming together to build a better and brighter future; the Cashel mall was a place that encompassed this hope; brightly coloured shipping containers have become an iconic depiction of Christchurch's new future and it really is a spectacular place to see.
I would advise anyone who is visiting New Zealand to go to Christchurch; it's a place where you will feel uplifted due to the people's spirit, not a place of desolation that so many people perceive it to be.
28
Definitely come and visit Christchurch! It's perfectly safe here and the earthquakes are happening less and less. I reckon it must be a few months since I felt one.With summer on the way there is plenty to do here. Christchurch will be hosting the annual World Buskers Festival from 17-27 January and that's always a fantastic event. There are loads of awesome restaurants and bars around - my favourite bar is Smash Palace, a temporary outdoor bar where the staff stand inside an old bus and serve the patrons. Thursday nights Smash Palace holds "bike night" where motorbike enthusiasts ride in and spend the evening drinking beer and admiring eachothers bikes (the bar will lock your bike up if you drink too much to ride home).
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