We headed north on the last leg of the Southern Scenic route for Christchurch. It is admittedly very scenic. About halfway to Christchurch we turned inland and headed up the Inland Scenic route which skirts the east side of the Southern Alps.
THE BAD
It rained the whole way and we didn’t even get a glimpse of the mountains. As we descended out of the mountains, Jim stopped and got a picture of the glacial river in a beautiful gorge.
The city center of Christchurch, New Zealand. The physical devastation is unbelievable. We took a two hour walk around the fenced in area. As we looked at empty and abandoned apartment buildings, that looked undamaged on the outside, I thought of all the people who have been displaced from their homes. As we passed by abandoned businesses I thought of all the people who are now jobless. As we saw local people standing at the fences staring at the rubble and the men trying to clean it up I thought of the grief and sadness at the loss of loved ones and the once beautiful city. It is an undescribable scene.
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| The day time stood still in Christchurch, New Zealand, | 22 Feb 2011, 12:51 PM |
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| Note the toilet |
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| Even though it was approved for use, nobody has returned. |
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| Christchurch Cathedral |
A very sobering day.
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