Christchurch Wandering I didn't have a lot of time to get back to the hotel before I was due to meet the tour group, but I just took my time wandering back to the hotel.... read more

Rebuild Tour Before I left home, I booked a ticket on the Rebuild Tour, as I wanted to get a local's insight into how things had changed, and to see the major sites that had been rebuilt since the earthquakes. Brunch I had some time to spare, so I headed to the Cashel Street Re:START mall for some brunch, and ended up having a german sausage with onions. Yumm. Cambridge Terrace The bus took us along Cambridge Terrace where we were able to see the new Deloite building, and another building under construction. These buildings both had new earthquake technology for their foundations, which allows the buildings to move should a substantial earthquake occur in the future (minor ones occur on a daily basis). I was able to see the 'shock absorbers' that are used. Cathedral ... read more

Day 1 in New Zealand – Christchurch! Today was my first day in New Zealand (on this trip - I had been here previously in 2013) and I spent it in Christchurch. It was partly cloudy, and a lovely 7C / 44F. • Avon River • Construction around the city • Arts Centre • Botanical Gardens • Christchurch Art Gallery - Te Puna o Waiwhetu • Cathedral Square • Christchurch Cathedral • Isaac Royal Theatre • Tramway Lane & New Regent Street • Old Government Buildings (Heritage Hotel) • Cashel St Re:START Mall • Bridge of Remembrance • Mumbaiwala Indian Restaurant A great first day! ... read more

Isaac Theatre Royal Leaving the cathedral square I could see the Isaac Theatre Royal through what is now an open space, which was probably a building before the earthquakes. "When work on the third incarnation began on 20 November 1906 the Christchurch Press confidently stated that the building would be ‘one of the most modern and comfortable south of the line’. The Australian brothers Sydney and A.E. Luttrell designed the original French Renaissance-style building, and acted as architects and structural engineers during its 15-month construction." Isaac Theatre Royal Official Website New Regent Street I made my way to New Regent Street via Tramway Lane. New Regent Street - the most beautiful street in New Zealand. On 1 April 1932, New Regent Street was ... read more

Cathedral Square Cathedral Square, locally known simply as the Square, is the geographical centre and heart of Christchurch, New Zealand, where the city's Anglican cathedral, Christchurch Cathedral is located. The square stands at the theoretical crossing of the city's two main orthogonal streets, Colombo Street and Worcester Street, though in practice both have been either blocked off or detoured around the square itse... read more