• Australia, NZ + Tahiti
    Bridge of Remembrance War Memorial
    Amazing murals have been part of the city's rebuilding planQuaint New Regent StreetReconstruction of the CathedralThe Transitional Cathedral now known as the Cardboard CathedralIt's largely made from cardboard tubesAn orchard fills a vacant lot where a building once stoodA skateboard park is another "gap filler" as locals call themEarthquake memorial1Determined fundraiser. We supported his causeThe Avon River, one of the countless British names in Christchurch

    Christchurch, New Zealand

    February 17, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    This morning we arrived in Lyttelton, the port for Christchurch, New Zealand. It was a surprise to look out our window and see a sister ship, the Insignia, in port as well. It’s the ship we sailed around the world on last year. It’s once again circling the world.

    We had booked a walking tour of Christchurch for 10 a.m. so we had ample time to grab the Oceania shuttle into the city and walk around a bit before meeting our guide. The tour took us around the key downtown sites and gave us a good overview of the city and the devastation caused by the earthquake. You may recall that in February 2011, a 6.3 earthquake struck south-east of Christchurch’s central business district. It damaged 50 per cent of the city’s buildings, killing 185 people.

    Thirteenth years later and the city is recovering. While there are still many projects still in the works, including the restoration of the cathedral, much has been accomplished. Where there are vacant lots, the city has been smart in creating public spaces, including playgrounds and public orchards where citizens can pick free fruit. Our guide Ben explained that the city has turned the devastation into an opportunity to reevaluate the way the city was laid out and to create a more pedestrian-friendly and bicycle friendly central business area. It would be interesting to visit the city in 20 years and see how it has evolved.    Read more