Day 1: Christchurch

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Landed safely in Christchurch!!

Attempted to park and tackle the city centre in order to find the hospital where we had wedding cake to deliver to Maria, only to find she had been discharged. So instead we wandered the outer boundary of the quake.

The devastation was breath taking, but not in an awe sort of way. It felt airy like a ghost town. All the building were bordered off and had Green, yellow or red stickers. Everything was abandoned. The dust/sand from the liquefaction was everywhere and many residents still wore masks. The bikers were out in force. Probably the best way to get around the broken city!

From Chch we followed our GPS, the best addition to the trip (as we discovered when we passed the first speed camera and it alerted us! Nice!). It was a successful first day of driving our truck-like monster. Even with the enormous trucks that while driving past us appeared to blow us all over the road. Hehe! I’m yet to get behind the wheel.....might need a LARGE open space to practice. Men just seem to be naturally better drivers, guess I’m allowed to give him a big head now, we are married after all!

After mainly straight roads and a few curve we arrived at Lake Tekapo at 11pm where we currently sit!

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Photos

A cordoned off bridge
Buckled at both ends, so had to walk a very long way around

Cordoned off building
Sticked with red, this building is condemned and most likely will be demolished. There were many, many building with a red sticker. The other colours are yellow (needs repairs) and green (safe)

Earthquake Command Centre
Police and military everywhere. Chch looks like an army base.

Once a lake... now a sludgy bog.
Liquefaction has caused all the lakes within Hagley Park to become bog-like. So sad.

Comments

[Nikki]

loving the blog!
Hey guys glad you arrived safely and made it through Christchurch safe and sound. Keep the updates and picture coming. Love to you both xx

[mummy and daddy]

I take it Lake Tekapo was more than 3 hours as you were talking to me and were leaving at 4.45 from ChCh. Love ya miss ya xx

[Nickie]

Hey you two! Great to see and hear how your getting on! The camper looks like a good size! and comfy at that! I hope your not holding up traffic though... people hate campers on the road! hahaha The pics are good - if I can say that.... CHCH devastion is a bit much though! Enjoy the honeymoon! Lots of love, me! xoxoxox

[Verity]

Wow that thing is a beast !!!! Did the hunky man standing in front of it come free with the rental ?!?! hahaha :) u sure u want to drive that nae?? scary xoxoxox

[Rowena O'Sullivan]

Day 1
Way to go guys - great to see piccies so soon. love mum o'sullivan

[ReneeMatt]

Hehe......Nah had to pay separately for the hunky Husband! Hehe