We woke this morning after our day in Akorora and had time to explore Christchurch on foot.  Sorry to be a downer here but the city center is still akin to a war zone.  We took off on foot and had an intriguing three-hour walk.  I previously commented on the difficulties of rebuilding after the earthquake but today we saw the visual effect upfront at almost every turn.  For those of us who are not old enough or had the experience of seeing  a city after a war, this is what I imagine that to be.  More than 80% of their city center buildings were demolished by or after the earthquake.  Lot after vacant lot presents while you walk through once verdant gardens and walks.  They vow to rebuild but somehow, Wayne and I think they have lost something forever.  That sense of history that lay in architecture and city plans that is no more.  These were apartments that are now vacant.

Everywhere on the sidewalks you see spray painted codes for underground  telecom, electric, water and sewer.  They have had to reconstruct over 350 miles of underground infrastructure

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The downtown area is one vacant lot after another.  Some still with the first responder codes of categorizing buildings the were not suitable for habitation.

While this seems desolate, the Kiwis have come up with creative ideas to fill the empty lots.  Here is a temporary structure that houses a cafe and garden but is made out of pallets.

It has only 13 days to go before it is taken down.

There is not a more compelling visual of the impact than that of the cathedral.  As this city was founded as the home of the Anglicans it seems to pierce the heart of the city.

Here is a record of what the cathedral square was like just after the earthquake with the chess pieces tumbled on their sides.

But not all is lost, there is still quite a bit of beauty left in the city which we were able to absorb with a trip to the Botanical Gardens.  Where the trees are so large you can walk inside them.  Here is Wayne at the door of this evergreen.

And here is the structure “inside the house”.

Fuscia was so prodigious that it was the size of a small tree.

And the central rose garden had a plethora of varieties.  The rule is, a new rose must prove itself for a period of no less than six years before it can qualify for planting in the garden.

After a quick trip to the airport we boarded our flight to Queenstown and checked into the most lovely, spirit filled room with a remarkable view.

This morning we are off to explore Milford sound via plane and boat.  Thank you for all your comments and I hope this brings a little diversion to you each day.