CHRISTCHURCH— 3rd March, 2021

We changed our accommodation today from near the airport into Upper Riccarton at Amber Kiwi Holiday Park. We have the one bedroom delux Motel unit an upstairs unit with a balcony looking over their park. We are glad to be here for the next four days. Plenty of room and it feels very homely. It’s the only unit upstairs so we feel quite separated from all the other guests. They have a bus stop just outside, so easy access into the city centre and as we have no transport we will go everywhere by bus. After all it’s free with the gold card.

We arrived here at 10.00am, lucky they gave us a very early check in. Literally dumped our bags, jumped on the bus and into the centre of town. Spent a couple of hours wandering around getting our bearings for the next three days in Christchurch until we pick up our Motorhome on Sunday.

Amber Kiwi park Delux Motel

Very homely will be great for our four nights.

Out on the balcony looking over their park.

We have now arrived in town. Beautiful bird paintings on the side of a building.

Left side of the above

Right side

Walking down to the Avon river passing this very interesting looking building.

Look at this beauty just sitting inside a cafe or pub not sure which. Certainly catches your eye as you walk pass.

The Bridge of Remembrance which crosses over the Avon River. Dedicated to those who died in the 1st and 2nd world wars. It was damaged by the earthquake, ten years ago and the repairs were completed in 2015.  Its hard to believe the quake was ten years ago. And there is still so much work still to do around the city.

Beautiful area all rebuilt, many eateries and pubs along the side of the river. The above photo looking over the river to the memorial steps that were built in remembrance of those who lost their lives in the quake.

Looking along from the other side of the Avon River. It has all been done beautifully. 

Just on the corner, in front of the Bridge of Remembrance where the trolleys pass by.

Then the trolleys turn up through the shopping area.

All very nice and looking down to the Bridge of Rememberance. Unfortunately no trolleys went by.

This is a poster beside the Cathedral which I took a photo to show what the Cathedral looked like before the quake.

This is what it looks like now. The steeple has completely gone. You can see the main entrance here and compare with the above photo. The top where the pitched roof is and the round pattern is just a big open hole where all the birds were nesting so they filled it in and covered it with this big photo to keep the birds out until they rebuild is completed. They are working on it now and it is all fenced off but they left a hole in the fence for people to take their photos.

Around the side of the Cathedral.

Another painting this one is down the side of the Novotel Hotel. We stayed there many many years ago when the kids shouted us a trip on the  Tranz Alpine train across Arthur’s Pass. We will be driving over Arthur’s Pass next week.....hopefully.