New Zealand-18) Christchurch City Walk

The New Zealand city of Christchurch experienced a devastating earthquake on February 22, 2011, with a magnitude of 6.3 and a shallow focus at a depth of just 4.99 kilometers. This major earthquake caused extensive damage to buildings and infrastructure, including the collapse of the city's cathedral spire. More than half of the city's buildings sustained damage, and severe liquefaction resulted in the production of around 400,000 tons of silt. The central city and eastern suburbs were particularly hard hit.

Even five years after the disaster, thousands of residents were still waiting for their homes to be repaired or rebuilt. They faced ongoing financial difficulties due to years of delays and disputes over insurance claims.

In the years following the earthquake, Christchurch underwent significant rebuilding. Here are what I saw from a walk from the Christchurch Bus Interchange to the downtown shopping area, to Cathedral Square, and then to the Botanic Gardens and back.

Christchurch Bus Interchange

Down town shopping district

Christchurch Cathedral Square

New Zealand- 17) Christchurch-Cashmere Hill Lookout

When I was at the Central bus station, I asked the staff there where they recommend to go to see, the girl told me I could take #1 bus to Cashmere Hills and to have good view of Christchurch City from there, so I did.

Cashmere Hill Lookout is a point to see Christchurch, views right across the city and the bay. There's a path there up through some coarse ground.  It starts at a Churchlike building which is a cafe bar serves tea, coffee, ice cram, craft beers, wine and food.  There are public toilet outside the cafe bar for tourist use.

New Zealand- 16) Lyttelton

Lyttelton is a port town located on the eastern coast of New Zealand's South Island, near Christchurch. It is situated on the northern side of Lyttelton Harbour, which is part of the larger Banks Peninsula. Lyttelton is known for its stunning natural scenery, maritime history, and vibrant community.

Lyttelton was one of the first settlements in the Canterbury region and played a significant role in the colonization of New Zealand. It served as the main port for Christchurch and the surrounding areas.

Lyttelton was significantly affected by the 2011 Christchurch earthquake, which caused extensive damage to buildings and infrastructure. The town has since undergone substantial rebuilding and revitalization efforts.

Here are some photos of Christchurch from a bus ride from the port Lyttelton and then from the central bus station taking #1 bus to Cashmer.

Lyttelton Central Bus Station

Lyttelton's Bus System

New Zealand- 15) Wellington Te Papa

Te Papa Tongarewa, commonly known as Te Papa, is the national museum and art gallery of New Zealand.  Te Papa translates to "container of treasures" in the Māori language, and the museum's name reflects its role in preserving the cultural, historical, and artistic treasures of New Zealand.

 Te Papa's collections include art, history, natural history, and cultural artifacts. The museum's focus is on showcasing New Zealand's rich heritage, including Māori and Pacific Island cultures.

Free Admission: Te Papa offers free general admission, making it accessible to a wide range of visitors. Some special exhibitions may require a fee. 

"Gallipoli: The Scale of Our War" is an exhibit at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa in Wellington. The exhibit opened on April 25, 2015, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli Campaign during World War I.

The exhibition is known for its immersive and emotional portrayal of the Gallipoli Campaign, a significant event in New Zealand's history. It tells the stories of eight ordinary New Zealanders who were part of the campaign, using large-scale, hyper-realistic sculptures created by Weta Workshop, the company known for its work on "The Lord of the Rings" films.

These sculptures, which are 2.4 times human size, aim to convey the human experiences and emotions of those who were there. The exhibit also includes interactive displays, artifacts, and personal accounts to bring the events of the campaign to life and give visitors a deeper understanding of the impact of the war on New Zealanders.