Holidays are great, but it is also nice to get back home. Our 3 weeks in new Zealand flew by in no time. The main aim of the trip was to visit family with just a little bit of sight seeing thrown in. Being winter time we weren't too sure if we would get too many fine days for touring or not. The weather gods were certainly kind to us, in fact it has been colder and wetter at home by all reports. Just one really chilly morning and a couple of days of heavy rain. We started off in Christchurch as we wanted to see the city again since the devastating earth quakes of 2010 and 2011. There is still so much to be done. Rome wasn't built in a day and neither will Christchurch resemble the beautiful City it once was for many years to come. Life goes on in Christchurch amid the demolition and re-construction. The Re-Start Mall in the CBD is a little bit of Kiwi ingenuity. Shops and cafes are being housed in shipping containers, all decked out with the necessities. We took a tram trip around the city area, this was the best way to see the re-building. Seeing the damage to The Cathedral was quite heartbreaking.
From this side the Anglican Cathedral looks ok, but around the other side it is a different story. There is much debate about this beautiful building, many want it restored, but the church wants to demolish it and rebuild
Looking out from the tram
You can always rely upon the beauty of the Avon River to lift ones spirit
