Christchurch - Quake City
Couple of hours left before nightfall, what can i see in that time? A question I posed to the lady on the desk. Botanical gardens, a bus to the suburb on the hill and see the sunset over Christchurch city, or take a look at the red zone are the viable options. Red Zone it is, close by and I need to find some food.
Gloucester street, go's through the centre of the 'Red Zone' and just a 10 minute hike from ATW hostel. A handful of others there also gawping at the destruction in the wake of this devastating quake, February 2011.Vacant plots of land where office blocks once stood, the skyline now occupied with cranes, scaffolding and dereliction. An erie, almost ghostly feeling since the place is devoid of any activity on this Easter Monday afternoon. Just this one street through the red zone, secured either-side with barriers and high fencing. On the right, the city library, just an empty grey shell and on the left a parade of shops, business's empty, broken windows, weeds and the whispering of a chilly breeze. Along the river, across bridges and looking onto what was the cathedral - piles of rubble at the base of shaw'd up walls, but really the whole building looks beyond saving. And so it continues, buildings in a state of disrepair, tall office blocks devoid of glass windows and facades held together with a network of scaffolding, the city centre completely deserted.
Oh, what's this! Shops, cafes and business's housed in shipping containers - a unique sight indeed and quite resourceful too. Despite the makeshift premises, prices here don't look to be any less expensive though. So, that was the 'Red Zone' the part of Christchurch still in ruins, although there is evidence that rebuilding the place has started. A Smart pedestrianised street near the old tram station, new units being advertised for lease.
It's quite a hike to the nearest supermarket, could almost be considered out-of-town in a complex that contains the American fast food joints among others. The supermarket here is of giant proportions, good selection of foods suitable for backpackers! So, after stocking up its a 35 minute hike back to base at 318 Barbados Street.
Couple of hours left before nightfall, what can i see in that time? A question I posed to the lady on the desk. Botanical gardens, a bus to the suburb on the hill and see the sunset over Christchurch city, or take a look at the red zone are the viable options. Red Zone it is, close by and I need to find some food.
Gloucester street, go's through the centre of the 'Red Zone' and just a 10 minute hike from ATW hostel. A handful of others there also gawping at the destruction in the wake of this devastating quake, February 2011.Vacant plots of land where office blocks once stood, the skyline now occupied with cranes, scaffolding and dereliction. An erie, almost ghostly feeling since the place is devoid of any activity on this Easter Monday afternoon. Just this one street through the red zone, secured either-side with barriers and high fencing. On the right, the city library, just an empty grey shell and on the left a parade of shops, business's empty, broken windows, weeds and the whispering of a chilly breeze. Along the river, across bridges and looking onto what was the cathedral - piles of rubble at the base of shaw'd up walls, but really the whole building looks beyond saving. And so it continues, buildings in a state of disrepair, tall office blocks devoid of glass windows and facades held together with a network of scaffolding, the city centre completely deserted.
Oh, what's this! Shops, cafes and business's housed in shipping containers - a unique sight indeed and quite resourceful too. Despite the makeshift premises, prices here don't look to be any less expensive though. So, that was the 'Red Zone' the part of Christchurch still in ruins, although there is evidence that rebuilding the place has started. A Smart pedestrianised street near the old tram station, new units being advertised for lease.
It's quite a hike to the nearest supermarket, could almost be considered out-of-town in a complex that contains the American fast food joints among others. The supermarket here is of giant proportions, good selection of foods suitable for backpackers! So, after stocking up its a 35 minute hike back to base at 318 Barbados Street.
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