Sunday, 2 February, trip to Rangiora with a stop in Christchurch

We are escaping the bad weather. The landscape along the coastal road is wild and the wind is blowing harder and harder. Later we learn that there have been severe floods and many tourists have had to be evacuated from Milford Sound. Te Anau was also affected. We were really lucky there!

In Christchurch, we make a stop. Exactly 9 years ago, there was a severe earthquake here that destroyed a lot in the city and cost 185 lives.

We walk through the memorial 'Bridge of Remembrance' and then into the city. Right at the beginning, we are in the middle of the street art festival and stop at the hula hoop artist to make a little video especially for Tom. We continue to the cathedral, which was heavily damaged by the earthquake and remains as a memorial. In Christchurch, we also discover great murals on house walls. The old tram depot has become a small mall through which the old tram still runs. We reach New Regent Street, which looks old, was actually built in 1923, but whether it is original or rebuilt?

The city gives a very mixed impression - old next to new next to brand new or still supported by steel beams.

We reach the next street artist who quickly and successfully paints the interune with suitable music. He painted Elvis Presley on his head and at the end turned the whole picture around. Only then did we realize what he had painted. Really good.

Finally, we visit the memorial for the earthquake victims, which is located by the little river. All 185 names are listed here and there are flowers by some of the names.

We continue to Rangiora. Half an hour's drive north of Christchurch, the green plains of the Canterbury Plains offer ideal grazing land. Pete also thinks so, who has made a nice home here with his family on a farm with 500 cows, a flock of sheep and alpacas. We stay here for one night. It is still hot, there is quite a wind blowing, and the sun is hidden behind a haze.