Keep on Truckin
Well I made it to Christchurch on South Island. I am checking out of hostels and into an Airbnb for the moment. Unsustainable long term but definitely worth it given recent experiences and my current state. I took myself out to see the town.
Christchurch is the biggest city on South Island and in 2011 it was ravaged by a massive 6.3 earthquake. In 2010 there was a 7.1 earthquake as well so when the 2011 earthquake happened, many of the buildings that were damaged from the first hit came crumbling down in 2011. In the six months after the quake the majority of the city was surrounded by a military blockade as they tore down damaged buildings and cleared out the rubble. The city’s motto now revolves around resilience and rebuilding. Visually, construction is everywhere and parking lots have taken up residence where old buildings used to be. February 22nd will be 7 years past and they seem to be about half way through the rebuilding. The cathedral however is still a gaping scar in the city’s landscape.
Entire neighborhoods were wiped out and now there are a number of suburban streets with no houses on them. The government bought the land and are prohibiting any new developments. The before and after pictures are impressive. https://goo.gl/images/7KW77G
On the upside, they also created an opportunity to beautify the city by inviting muralists from all over the world each year to make their mark on walls in need. Here are a few of my favorites.
On a personal note, the search for my iconic van continues. My budget is being stretched at this rate and my patience for city life is redlining. After three weeks of diligent van hunting, I decided to resign to just a regular van. I can’t start my hiking until I get a pair of wheels. And I don’t want to be limited to cities in a country where the natural wonders are the main attraction.
Luckily, I was able to get myself to the beach one afternoon. A few hundred meters out from the main entrance to New Brighton beach and you are on your own. I love these beaches where the waves are so calm and that space where you can walk through the water is so wide. I ended up walking 11 miles that day so the foot bath was much appreciated.
Also in this small beach town was a van that I wanted to test drive. We took it up some windy roads to a lookout point called Godley Head. I forgot how easy it is to drive automatic cars and this one checked out in a lot of ways so I sprung for the pre-purchase inspection. And it backfired. The inspection came back with $1000 NZD worth of recommended repairs. The sellers agreed before the inspection to pay for whatever repairs were recommended but backed out when they saw that price tag. I offered to split it 50/50 but no. Now they were firm. Poop. This van purchasing experience is awful.