Thursday 22 March 2012

Christchurch: first day in New Zealand

So I made it to New Zealand eventually!

After a terribly long trip and a night spent at the airport (sic!) I managed to find an accommodation in Christchurch, my first stop in NZ.
And I also made a new friend: Liza from Ireland with whom I spent the whole day visiting the city.

Christchurch looks more like a town really and as you may remember it was seriously destroyed in a huge earthquake and aftershocks last year.
The whole city center is closed, many buildings are still destroyed but there are workers almost everywhere cleaning the mess.
After a delicious breakfast in a famous local bakery we visited the Museum which was ever so eclectic presenting the Maori culture, the first settlers, section dedicated to birds, Antarctic, furniture etc and even a recreated small street of Christchurh with its shops.

We walked around the city and got to a brand new area called Reset - a shopping / cafe modern district looking as if made out of old containers.

Then we decided to go for a cup of tea to the seaside. We went to New Brighton where there is an impressive recent peer and a library but not much more.
Hence my observation: not many people in the streets, lack of energy, a certain passivity but don't get me wrong, kiwis (New Zealanders) are absolutely lovely.

Tomorrow I make my move south Dunedin, a big student city. I decided to tour South Island more.

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