CHRISTCHURCH REBUILD> BRICK BY BRICK

[Deanb]

i'm sure it would look so incredible in a matter of months...

[KIWIKAAS]

I think months is a bit optimistic...it's a massive demo and cleanup operation.

[Andre_idol]

A real shame see such areas being transformed in ghost towns But we can also see the earthquake hit pretty bad that zone so it´s understandable that people leave the place.

[Milan Luka]

Originally Posted by KIWIKAAS

Must be heart wrenching for those with homes there.
The stink of sewerage would sure add to the depressing scene.
It's a strange thought that 10-15 years from now,when the area has reverted back to nature, it will seem as if nothing was ever there.
The hill suburb on your previous post seemed to get away with hardly a crack....apart from the slip on top of the hill.

Yeah man, was incredibly eerie to walk through. Id last been there maybe 12 months ago and it was a really attractive place. Now to see it so empty, dusty and stinking of shit was really saddening. But you are right, it wont take long, nature will do its thing, it'll actually become a nice reserve.

Originally Posted by Deanb

i'm sure it would look so incredible in a matter of months...

It WILL look incredible, I have no doubt about that. Unfortunately it'll take much longer than most of us think it will. We dont seem to have the manpower available. So many people working on getting the city back up and running but we could do with many thousands more getting involved. I believe the council is making plans to promote the city as a viable place for tradespeople, engineers, medical professionals and everyone else to emigrate too.

Originally Posted by Andre_idol

A real shame see such areas being transformed in ghost towns But we can also see the earthquake hit pretty bad that zone so it´s understandable that people leave the place.

I agree. Its such a shame, but their is a plan in place. Those people are being reimburst, I just hope the bulk of them decide to stay in the city and be part of the rebuild.

[Milan Luka]

South City

Back to South City and the area surrounding today. Although Ive shown you this area previously, I was stuck (stranded) here today and thought Id take a few more photos. We had had a weekend of light dustings but overnight the whole island was covered in the stuff. While snow is not uncommon, this was certainly the most amount of it Ive seen fall in a day in my 10 years in Christchurch. Red zone workers were stood down for the day as it deemed the weight of the snow may cause possible collapses of already unstable structures.

Businesses on the fringe of the cordon were open, and a few people braved the weather. But the police advised everyone to either stay at work or home today, limit all movements. Not expecting too much snow tonight so normal service should resume tomorrow.

[Milan Luka]

[Svartmetall]

The snow adds to the surreal experience of the damaged buildings. Great pictures, Milan. Hope you are holding up okay.

[KIWIKAAS]

+1
Keep warm fellow

[Jennifat]

Wow, it's completely surreal to see snow falling on Christchurch among the ruins. I thought heavy snow like that was only a Northern Hemisphere thing.

Glad to hear rebuilding efforts are underway in that lovely city.

[SYDNEY]

Thanks for the pics Luka, I am so jealous we got no snow - nothing ! Stay warm and enjoy it while it lasts

[Milan Luka]

Originally Posted by Svartmetall

The snow adds to the surreal experience of the damaged buildings. Great pictures, Milan. Hope you are holding up okay.

Walking around at times it felt like I was transported back in time to Berlin 1945. People trudging through the snow surrounded by destruction. Thanks for the comment Svarty, and yeah Im doing ok mate.

Originally Posted by KIWIKAAS

+1
Keep warm fellow

That Ive been doing. Lots of coffee. My workplace and my home are very toasty warm. Not looking forward to my next electricity bill though.

Originally Posted by Jennifat

Wow, it's completely surreal to see snow falling on Christchurch among the ruins. I thought heavy snow like that was only a Northern Hemisphere thing.

Glad to hear rebuilding efforts are underway in that lovely city.

Thanks for dropping by Jennifat. While its true that New Zealand is a utopian South Pacific paradise :wink: theres nothing between us and Antarctica. Occasionally we get some pretty intense weather (and the odd iceberg) from down that way.

Originally Posted by SYDNEY

Thanks for the pics Luka, I am so jealous we got no snow - nothing ! Stay warm and enjoy it while it lasts

Hi Sydney. I am glad you are visiting my thread and I really appreciate your comments. I'll never tire of snow, I absolutely love it. I was really surprised when you hit the Alps and got no snow, do you have plans to hit Queenstown again before winter ends?

[Milan Luka]

The Arts Centre and Botanic Gardens

One of Christchurch's most attractive areas. Only a couple of minutes walk from Cathedral Square is the Arts Centre, which up until the 1970s was the campus for the University of Canterbury. Before the earthquake it was home to art studios, cafes, markets, theatres, quirky apartments and more. A very popular area with locals and tourists, it was always lively.

The immediate area was also handsome. Full of beautiful wooden villas, grand buildings such as Christs College and the Museum and of course the iconic Christchurch Botanic Gardens.

Unfortunately this area too suffered much damage. In fact the Arts Centre remains closed to the general public for the foreseeable future. The good news however, is that although its going to take a while the city is commited to restoring this neighbourhood back to its former glory.

[Milan Luka]

[SYDNEY]

OMG that is ..... Fantastic pics I am also extremely happy to see that most of the structure is still standing and I am sure that they will salvage the Arts Centre. We won't be going back to Q'Town this year - Craigy needs a back op and it will cost a lot of money. I am still hoping that we will see you later this year ?

[Lazy Traveler]

nice pics of Christchurch!!

[Milan Luka]

Originally Posted by SYDNEY

OMG that is ..... Fantastic pics I am also extremely happy to see that most of the structure is still standing and I am sure that they will salvage the Arts Centre. We won't be going back to Q'Town this year - Craigy needs a back op and it will cost a lot of money. I am still hoping that we will see you later this year ?

Arts Centre is obviously made of pretty strong stuff. Aparently will take a while to fix as there's not many out there with experience with this type of building.

As for Craig, . Sydney dont be so rough with him man. No doubt manhandling him too much!

I've renegged so many times on plans to visit Auckland this year. Everything in my life is in a state of flux right now. Slowly getting back to normal, I hope to get up there sooner rather than later. Have just read this morning that eastadl is going to be in Auckland soo, hope he's made contact with you for a city tour. He's a real decent guy.

Originally Posted by Lazy Traveler

nice pics of Christchurch!!

Hi LT! I agree, and I also think its nice to see Christchurch looking good for a change. Right now its sleeting on the Port Hills, although we're not expecting snow in the city this weekend- I've still got my fingers crossed.

[Milan Luka]

The Arts Centre and Botanic Gardens

Part 2, here's some more from my neighbourhood.

[Milan Luka]

[Jennifat]

Hah, I couldn't help but laugh at the guy at the coffee shop using a garden shovel to clear the sidewalk. I suppose people down there don't really have snow shovels, do they.

[hellospank25]

Originally Posted by Milan Luka

Lovely building. Is this a house or a business? Looks like they will be able to repair it