Some kind readers were concerned as I haven't blogged for a while. I hope to rectify that from now on. We went on a short holiday to New Zealand and then I was wanted in Melbourne to help out the family there. Now I am back to bore you with holiday photos.
The showpiece of Christchurch was the beautiful Christchurch Cathedral in Cathedral Square with its tall steeple and wonderful architecture but it has been damaged severely. There is controversy over whether it should be restored or demolished and a new one built.
The front of the cathedral. There are still tremors occurring everyday. Sometimes more of the Cathedral collapses.The steeple has entirely gone.We felt two quite strong tremors in the three days we were there.
The square shows off an interesting sculpture. It is Neil Dawson's steel 'Chalice' installed in 2001 to celebrate the new millennium and 150 years anniversary of Canterbury's foundation. The building in the background is still waiting to be fixed.
However, Christchurch is not without a cathedral. With Japanese technology a Cardboard Cathedral has been built in another location. It is quite beautiful. Tubes of hardened cardboard provide the strength for the building.The roof is waterproof.
The city has an amazing amount of Art in the streets. The people have been keen to try to make their city beautiful again. Most of the safety fences are adorned with bright patterns including Maori patterns. There are a variety of statues and installations. Many buildings have huge murals and it is probably a deterrent for the graffiti artists who seem to revel in tagging the damaged buildings.
We flew from Brisbane to Christchurch in the South Island of NZ, it only takes two and a half hours but then NZ is 3 hours ahead of Brisbane, so it seems to take nearly all day to get there. When we arrived at our hotel we decided to go for a walk and see how the city has changed from when we were there over ten years ago.
Christchurch suffered a devastating earthquake five years ago. Most buildings were damaged, one collapsed entirely, hundreds of houses were destroyed and roads broken. 185 people were killed. Today there are still buildings closed waiting to be repaired or pulled down and rebuilt but there are also many new buildings mushrooming up everywhere. There is a lot of employment for builders.
The city has an amazing amount of Art in the streets. The people have been keen to try to make their city beautiful again. Most of the safety fences are adorned with bright patterns including Maori patterns. There are a variety of statues and installations. Many buildings have huge murals and it is probably a deterrent for the graffiti artists who seem to revel in tagging the damaged buildings.
I liked these murals. On the 22 February the people remembered the anniversary of the tragedy. One thing they do is put flowers in all the witches hats which are all over the city as many roads are still closed or being fixed.
The next day we took a train trip over the Southern Alps...........(next post)
Interesting view of the city Diane. Terrible earthquake there. They had one near where my sister-in-law lives in California this morning but only 3.0. I am sure she felt a rumble. Looking forward to your train trip.
ReplyDeleteSo sad to see all the destructions, that will take a long time to get things repaired. I had read it last year at the blog of Marja what an impact it had on their lives.
ReplyDeleteWe met Marja while we were there.
DeleteHello Diane, so glad you are back blogging. I missed you too. I remember the large earthquake. It is sad to see so much destruction. I hope the new construction will be earthquake proof if there is such a thing. Happy Monday, enjoy your new week!
ReplyDeleteThe buildings were built to earthquake standards and that is why they are still standing although unsafe but people got out alive except for one building where most of the 185 people were killed. There is an enquiry into why the building collapsed.
DeleteGoodness me still so much destruction Diane. I can't imagine experiencing an earthquake, would be a terrifying experience. Have never seen a cardboard cathedral before, it really is surprisingly beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the views of the artwork in Christchurch. How amazing to see the cardboard cathedral! I was amazed by the strength of the people and their determination to stay and rebuild their city. Looking forward to the next chapter in your travel story!
ReplyDeleteI knew you had been to NZ as I saw Bill's post so I guessed you would be back on the blog very soon. I did not realise that they were still getting tremors in Christchurch, must be a worry. The cardboard church is amazing, quite something to see. Take care and have a good week t'other Diane
ReplyDeleteI wondered where you were... now I know. I LOVE that cardboard cathedral. WOW.. and all the damage i remember on our news when the earthquake happened. those murals get several Wows!!!! love them. wish i could paint like that. i read in the news that the san Andreas fault is about to have a huge earthquake, a really bad one. hope they are wrong.
ReplyDeleteWelcome again. Nice post
ReplyDeleteIt is good to support Christchurch. The tram line was extended a little a week or so ago. Can't wait to hear the blow by blow of the train trips.
ReplyDeletethank you for sharing your travel pics to Christchurch. the damage must have been huge and it's nice to see that things are being slowly restored. i knew you were on holidays so just assumed you were still away. hope your lovely family is well and i look forward to some more blogs about your travels.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your visit to Christchurch with us. It looks as if the city is making remarkable progress in recovering from that horrible earthquake. The cardboard cathedral is fascinating.
ReplyDeleteThanks for showing something of the new face of Christchurch, Di. I have enormous admiration for those who have endured so much during and since the earthquake.
ReplyDeleteI love all the murals That brightens up the city
ReplyDeleteWe were over in Christchurch in August last year Diane, so much work still to be done, but as they say Rome wasn't built in a day. Was thinking of you when I heard of the recent quake as I had read that you were heading that way. I thought the Re Start Mall was a bit of kiwi ingenuity
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you are back but even happier you were too busy to blog because you were out having adventures!
ReplyDeleteI do remember the earthquake in Christchurch from the news but so interesting to see your photos. The cardboard church is fascinating. I do hope they will be able to restore the landmark old church.
I've enjoyed your photos of Christchurch Diane, and seeing the progress in rebuilding since we were there in 2014. That cardboard cathedral is amazing!
ReplyDeleteAfter five years, the City is still suffering tremors? Oh my gosh. I had no idea those could go on so long. I had to think a moment about 'witches hats' but then I realized what you meant with the re-construction going on. Amazing cathedral...almost unbelievable -- this whole city is actually.
ReplyDeleteYou've been off travelling again Diane .... I thought that might have been the case. Still lots of reminders of that devestating earthquake.
ReplyDeleteI experienced the 5.7 earthquake there last month and it was very scary for me but mostly demoralising for my remaining Christchurch family who had begun to hope that the big ones were over. These quakes continue 24/7 at various strengths. The rest of New Zealand seems largely disinterested but should be very aware that any place there could be hit big next. The East side of the city is now wasteland. As you recorded in your lovely images, the street art, cardboard cathedral and humorous use of shipping containers as shops and offices, illustrates the courage and determination of the remaining population to pick up the pieces.
ReplyDeleteThe cardboard cathedral is beautiful. But the city sounds a pretty scary place to live nowadays, if the quakes continue.
ReplyDeleteGlad you are back, safe and sound! How sad to see all that destruction still remaining in Christchurch. I imagine the continuing tremors make it difficult to demolish safely and rebuild safely. I worry this will happen to San Francisco or other cities in California on the fault line. The cardboard church looks very much like the US Air Force cadet Church I blogged about last year! It has the same shape
ReplyDeleteWaw, what an unbelievable modern architecture.
ReplyDeleteGreetings,
Filip
I've often wondered about the future of Christchurch. It's interesting to see how they are rebuilding.
ReplyDeleteI love your photographs, they almost look like paintings. Do you apply some kind of effect to them? I know the recent 5.7 quake made our news but with no loss of life we don't hear much more. I received a letter recently from my aunt who lives in Christchurch, describing what happened and the after effects. She was outside in her garden at the time and said it all knocked her over, and that she was able to watch her house and garage literally jumping about! Post quake repairs to the house and its plumbing system had only been completed in the last year. She said there was an aftershock in the early hours which felt like it was occurring right under her bed, and in fact the epicentre was only a few kilometres away. Her son/my cousin owns a jewellery shop in New Regent St which has only been reopened for about a year but in consequence of the latest big quake it has been closed again and the tram which brought tourists and commuters to the street has stopped again. So, so hard for all the long-suffering citizens of Christchurch! We saw the destruction on a visit in 2013. I really don't know how people can continue to live there, and am grateful that my parents left there when I was just three.
ReplyDeleteIt is sad for the people who live there. many have moved but it is good to see that others want to rebuild the city.
DeleteWonderful to have you back and to enjoy your trip. I would love to do that train ride. It is 40 years since I visited Christchurch and I remember both a vibrant and serene city, so different today but the spirit still seems to be there.
ReplyDelete