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Published: April 2nd 2012
On our way to Christchurch we detoured to the Mount Cook National Park - Mount Cook is the highest moutain in NZ at 3,800 m. 50% of the time Mount Cook is obscured by clouds. On Dick's 66th birthday this is certainly the way it started out, as we trekked up a very steep, rocky path for 1.5 hours. Suddenly, we emerged above the clouds on to a plateau to be greeted by a truly magical scene of Mount Cook and the surrounding peaks and glaciers bathed in brilliant sunlight. After spending two serene hours drinking in the scenery Dick's need to get down from the heights compelled us to tackle the most difficult part - descending - which felt like stepping off the mountain side into thin air.
In September 2010 and in February 2011 Christchurch experienced two severe earthquakes and since then thousands of aftershocks, some registering 6.0 on the Richter scale. After spending a few days in Christchurch we are struck by two things - the physical damage and the impact on people. Regarding people, the principle issue is simply the uncertainty of the future. Will there be another major earthquake soon? People are dislocated out of
their damaged homes and out of their jobs. From both reading the local newspapers and talking with folks on the street and in stores, we hear about skyrocketing rents due to a severe housing shortage and downward pressure on wages because of the high unemployment rate. Indeed, there are people living in the campground here in Christchurch as we are writing this blog, sleeping in their cars because they can't find affordable housing. There is a massive demolition, restoration and rebuilding effort underway. Much of the centre of the City is cordoned of by high fencing - the boundaries of this 'Red Zone' continually change as buildings are either assessed as unstable, are being torn down or are being restored. This calamity will certainly change the face of Christchurch in the years to come and has clearly become an integral part of the psyche of those living here.
Just to the east of Christchurch is a marvellous mountainous area called the Banks Penninsula where we spent the past two days. This is where Pauline suffered a moment of insanity - she went paragliding. The little town of Akaroa, founded by the French, in the 1600's was the scene of
this wonderous folly. While trying to rent kayaks we observed tandem paragliders landing in the nearby park. Pauline was intrigued, Dick was appalled. The photo tells the rest of the story. And yes, Pauline would do it again! It was an incredible 20 minutes of sheer exhiliration with a healthy degree of fear. We have a video of the flight.
Tomorrow we head off to spend a couple of days in hot springs and then to swim with the dolphins. Catch up with you again soon.
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Colleen Welch
non-member comment
Great Post!
Hi Dick and Pauline! How great it was to see a notification of a blog post from you (and Happy Birthday, Dick!)! Pauline, you and I are similar in our quest for adventure. I went hangliding in France last summer. It was exhilarating (and not the slightest bit...okay, maybe a little, insane). I hope you both are either still travelling around NZ or home safely. I can't remember when you were headed home.