Christchurch, New Zealand part 3

Did you notice this building when the tram went past it?

This is the Christchurch Art Gallery (Te Puna O Waiwhetu)

We can’t go in as it has not re-opened since the earthquake

(but it is scheduled to open later in 2014). 

The interesting earthquake related fact about the art gallery is that none of those glass panels (and to my eye that building seems almost to be completely built from glass panels!), repeat none of those glass panels broke during the earthquake.

Hint: Click on the photo to enlarge it.

So why is it closed?  Good question. Well it seems there was some damage to the foundation at the back and it takes a long time to rebuild after a natural disaster!

Now, let’s go explore Re:Start.

Re:Start is the shopping mall built out of the rubble of the earthquake…

using shipping containers.

That’s correct. All these colorful, normal looking shops are housed in  shipping containers.

“Sea cans” like you see in photos of large cargo ships!

 

These containers can be seen all over in Christchurch…used as shops, used as warehousing, etc. Here are some in front of the damaged Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament.

While not as evident when you look at the Cardboard Cathedral, there are shipping containers used in the construction here.

Where?  Answer: the walls are eight shipping containers!

 Sometimes it is the most simple image that has the most powerful impact.

This image still moves me to tears…maybe even more so now than when I first saw it.

185 Empty White Chairs

At first glance one might think it is some kind of modernistic art installation (I did!)

But then one learns the story behind it …

and it hits you.

Across the street (not seen in photo) is a large, empty concrete pad surrounded by chain link fence. Okay, so what? That concrete pad marks where the CCTV high rise building stood before the earthquake. On the day of the earthquake 115 people died in that building.

So on the land across from the former CCTV building is a memorial to the 185 people who died as a result of the earthquake. Each white chair represent one person. Each of the 185 chairs is unique. And near the front is a white baby carrier.

Don’t even try to tell me that you would not be moved

as you stared at those 185 white chairs.

On a happier note…

When in Christchurch you could visit the Antarctic Centre.

If you do not have transport this bus will take you there.

(The Centre is not just about penguins.)

Homework: Do some research about the Christchurch/Antarctic connection.

A public city bus or a city tour bus (which can be booked at the tourist information office) will take you to the Christchurch Gondola where you can enjoy scenes like this.

To go up the gondola with us, click here.

Or…we could go punting on the Avon River.

Click here to join us on a punting adventure.

Whatever you do…visit Christchurch. It really grows on you!

Want to visit more places in New Zealand?  Click here to join us.

and/or

Visit places around the world? Click here.

Happy travels!