The Road to Christchurch

 The group including our driver Max (middle back) and Carol (left) and Bev (orange pants) who I am going to Melbourne with.

 View of Lake Tekapo

 Canada Geese in New Zealand

 The ruins of Christchurch Cathedral.

 Some of the shipping containers used to house new shops and stores after the earthquake.

Saturday, January 16^th.

Last day of the trip. Thankfully the rain has abated but it remains overcast. We packed up and headed out to a nearby cafe for breakfast and then started our drive north to Christchurch. We stopped at a viewpoint on Lake Pukaki for a scenic view of Mt. Cook, the highest peak in New Zealand, but unfortunately it was hidden by cloud. However I got a couple of photos of the local variety of magpie. 

We continued north until our lunch stop at a small town called Tekapo. Here we also saw an old little church that commanded a beautiful view of the lake. We asked a Russian tourist to take a group photo for us on the shore. Also saw more Canada geese here. Max stopped for us to take some photos of the iconic New Zealand sheep but they were uncooperative and high tailed it.

Driving into Christchurch was unimpressive as we drove through the urban sprawl of the outskirts of the city. Max drove us around the downtown area explaining the effect the earthquakes of 2010-11 had on the city. This is his home town and you could hear the sadness in his voice. Over 2000 buildings were flattened or had to be removed, 187 people died and countless lives were changed forever.

We checked into the All Stars Inn on Bealey St., one of the nicest backpacker hotels I have seen. Jan Eric got his own room so he could sort his luggage before heading home, so by default I got my own too. Jan Eric, Marie, Jane and I went for a walk downtown to see the damage and the rebuilding efforts. The central point of the city was the Christchurch Cathedral, but now it is ruined beyond repair. We saw evidence of the devastation in cracked buildings and empty lots. Further along we saw what they call the Rebuild. This area has a number of small shops, bars and restaurants all housed in shipping containers. They have made the area look attractive and vibrant. We stopped and had a drink together for the last time.

We met up as the whole group for one last dinner at the Speight's Ale House next to our hostel. It was a happy/sad event as this is the end and people are all going their separate ways. We said our goodbyes to Max with a card and best wishes. Bev and Carol fly to Melbourne in the morning where I will meet up with them again. Heather is flying home to Markham after a traveling for six months (I can imagine her feelings). The rest are all leaving in the next day or two for home. Max is flying back to Auckland to meet his next group and start the tour again. And so it goes.