There is an earlier post about our ramblings around downtown Christchurch but the pictures I took that day all got lost.  Damn computers.  🙂  Anyway we were down there again and I took a whole bunch more pictures and I thought I would do a post so you all could see just what this city is dealing with.  The city was pretty much completely destroyed by the 2011 earth quake.

This is the Christchurch Cathedral before the 2011 earth quake.

This is what it looks like now.  The steeple is completely gone and the rest of it is very badly damaged.  The metal structure on the right is holding up what’s left.  You see a lot of this where they have braced up unique building facades to save them for when the building is rebuilt.

You see a lot of this too.  Tall, empty buildings being prepared to be torn down.  I think ALL of the tall buildings are coming down.  We learned in a little exhibit about the rebuild that there will be a 7 story limit on all new buildings.

Another big one to come down.

You also see a lot of this, reconstruction.  It’s underway and buildings are being repaired and rebuilt everywhere.

Getting around town by car can be a challenge as the roads are constantly being worked on.  So the road you drove on yesterday is being worked on today.  Barb and I were looking for a store one day, saw it but were on the wrong side of the street.  Well no problem we will just go around the block.  WRONG!!!  After 15 minutes we gave up and just parked the car and walked.  🙂

This is the “famous” Cardboard Cathedral that was built to house the congregation of the Christchurch Cathedral that was destroyed.  It is of course not all cardboard but there is a lot of cardboard in the structure.  You can Google it and learn more about it.  It’s kind of cool.

The Cardboard Cathedral from the inside.

The city put up a temporary mall called “Re-Start”.  It is made from shipping containers and is very cleverly done.  They are all brightly painted with windows cut into the sides and front and are the homes for many shops, eating establishments and cafes.  I liked the Santa on top of the “Re-Start” mall with the construction site in front.  Sort of captures the mood of the city.  It is very much alive and coming back.

Barb at the Re-Start mall.  The place really hops.  Lots of people out shopping and getting ready for Christmas.

And there are some new building on their way.  It is really a unique opportunity to see a city rebuilding after such a devastating catastrophe.