During my visit to New Zealand in 2009 I got a chance to visit Christchurch (not once but twice!). I visited it the first time after traveling from the North Island to the South Island. I stayed a day before traveling around the South Island. Then after going through Queenstown, Milford Sound, Franz Josef, and Lake Ohau, I headed back up to Christchurch and spent another day before leaving for Australia the following morning.
At a bar with friends in Christchurch
Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island. If you come from a big city you will find that it is like a tiny town in comparison. Christchurch was very walkable, and my hotel was right at the outskirt of downtown, but I was able to safely walk to the city center. New Zealand in general is such a safe place. I explored the night life on foot walking all over town, and only finally taking a cab on the way home. I love the laid back atmosphere, and that wearing flip flops to a club was completely acceptable.
In front of Christchurch Cathedral...unfortunately it was destroyed during the 2011 earthquake
They are hurting right now, and I am hurting for them. I met so many lovely Kiwis on my trip to New Zealand, and I know they will come out of this a stronger nation.
1 comments:
We only stayed one night in Christchurch during out stay in NZ a year ago (We were there March 2010). We came up from the South Island to the North via Tranz Alpine. The train was delayed and we got there after dark, ate supper and went to sleep in a beautiful B&B before getting up early to catch a 9am flight up to Rotorua. I hate that we didn't get more time there but from what I saw, it really was a beautiful city. I was shocked by the footage and NZ has been in my thoughts a lot more lately.
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