With a relatively short (three hour) flight from Melbourne and not even an hours sleep we arrive in Christchurch at 5 am. I was last here in August 2005 with Dave Fowler and remember staying in Base Backpackers off Cathedral Square. Christchurch was a busy city with buses, trams, buskers, lots of people and a lovely vibe. We were stunned to see how the earthquakes and after shocks of several years ago have completely changed the city as it was.
It seems the insurance companies were unable to do anything to resolve any claims until the after shocks stopped which went on for over a year. This left the centre a no go zone with only demolition of the most unstable buildings. While part of the cathedral is still standing the future of it is uncertain.
Walking around Cathedral Square had a feel of a post-apocalyptic place with buildings empty and borded up, open spaces of rubble and a glimmer of future as new buildings are being built. As we walked further afield there was streets of buildings being rebuilt or repaired
The main shopping mall was partially destroyed and damaged so a make shift shopping area has been created using storage containers. Shops and food outlets fill a small area in the block near where the mall was with cashpoint machines also appearing from the containers.
The roads, pavements and tram line through the centre seem to have been one of the first things to have been sorted.
Walking over the bridges you wouldn't even know the city had ever been affected by the earthquakes.
Away from the centre and a lovely peaceful walk through the botanical gardens and greenhouses it is easy to appreciate the green space the city also has to offer.
Our motel is about one km out of the centre and it seems that all life has been pushed out to the suburbs. We are only in Christchurch for a day but it's very easy to see how life for the people here has changed so much.
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