Apr 9th: Tramming around Christchurch

Day 6 (Day 2 in New Zealand)

Up early again (body clock as much as excitement) and walked the short distance from our hotel into town.

After an excellent blueberry muffin and coffee for breakfast we bought tickets for the city’s hop-on, hop-off tram. These are 100-140 year old trams that complete a 40 minute figure of eight round the city centre. All at about 10mph and with commentary.

We hopped off first at Quake City, a museum and exhibition about the 2011 earthquake. It was moving and harrowing at times as there were video clips from survivors and families of the 185 deceased.

We also learned a lot about earthquakes, how they happen and what measures have been taken in rebuilding 90% of the city centre. Word of the day was “liquefaction”. A fascinating thing to watch.

I asked the woman on the ticket desk (who has lived here all her life) if they had experienced any more quakes since they. “Oh, yes” she replied, “we get 1000s every year but you don’t feel mist of them!”

There was a poignant quote on a wall: 

“Civilisation exists by geological consent, subject to change without notice”

Christchurch Cathedral was very badly damaged. The structure has been shored up and made secure and now they are debating how best to rebuild it and make it earthquake proof. The team driver said that will take years and then will come the debate about how to fund it.

Meanwhile, up the road they have built a temporary one known locally as the “cardboard cathedral”. Read about it here if you want.

Back in the tram we stopped for lunch at the C1 Coffee shop which is based in the old Post Office building. Some meals are delivered using the old pneumatic pipe system which older readers may  from traditional department stores.

Another short term ride took us to the city’s Arts Centre. Another building badly damaged in 2011. Two thirds of it has been rebuilt so far but they’ve run out of funding. It’s cleverly been rebuilt to look like the original but it is just a facade on top of quake-proof structure.

Inside was The Grand Hall which I couldn’t help thinking would be perfect for classical guitar concerts!

We finished the set with excellent fish and chips in The Victoria, an English pub opposite our hotel.