Return to Christchurch, NZ

The largest town in the South island of New Zealand, so named it is thought in 1848 after Christ Church in Oxford University UK.
We visited Christchurch in 2017 during a cruise, at which time it was only six years after the 2011 earthquake, so we were keen to see how the town had progressed.

Fortunately the war memorial arch had survived the earthquake.

Maureen & I thought that the best way to see the town would be via the famous tramway service.
The route around the town took fifty minutes which allowed people to hop on and off the tram if they wished to see a particular sight and to reboard the next tram. The gap between each tram was about eight to ten minutes.

As we slowly moved along the track the driver gave us a running commentary of places of interest and how the earthquake affected the town and how the town had coped after the earthquake.

At each stop the conductor would step down and assist anyone who needed help to leave the tram or board.
Later he switched with the driver and he gave the commentary. Overall it was an interesting hour and a pleasant ride.

The view along the main shopping area of the town.

Vehicles restricted to certain times but bicycles and trams allowed.

Certain buildings that had been damaged beyond repair had been removed but artwork painted on remaining buildings after the earthquake had been retained to add colour and to be a reminder.

Another example

An attempt was made to restore Christchurch Cathedral but they have run out of money so the building remains damaged.

All of the shops in the main shopping street have been earthquake proofed with a compound in the foundations that will absorb ground shocks.A space has been created between each buildings to avoid a domino affect if one building collapses.

I cannot remember all the details of how they have tried to create safe buildings during an earthquake, but it was an interesting explanation from the tram driver.