Saturday, February 3, 2018, Lyttelton (Christchurch), NZ, Botanical Gardens

Founded by English pilgrims, Christchurch is the largest city on New Zealand's south island. Christchurch fans out at the feet of the scenic Southern Alps.  Named by English pilgrims from Canterbury after Christ Church College in Oxford, it retains much of its original British flavor, from the Gothic Revival cathedral to the leisurely punting excursion boats on the tranquil Avon River.  The city embraces another English tradition:  It is home to so many green parks that it has been nicknamed the "Garden City."  Its lush Botanic Gardens, 75 acres established in 1863 along the Avon River, ranks among the most important in the world, hosting plants from six continents, a rock garden, and a water garden of lilies and irises.

Christchurch is preserving its rich heritage after the 2011 earthquake.  We learned about the exciting vision underway to rebuild and restore the city.           

 A very small portion of the 2011 earth quake damage that yet exists.  There are many plots of land in the city that are barren of buildings.  Some have been graveled for parking lots and gap fillers have been erected.  Numerous buildings have yet to be demolished while the courts try to sort out who will pay for the tear down and building of new.

A few buildings have been started, but mostly government facilities.

Gap filler (temporarily replacing torn down buildings).

The Container Mall, a post-earthquake shopping center made up of colorful shipping containers.

 The only two remaining businesses; all the rest have moved on from the container mall.

Cardboard Cathedral, a transitional cathedral several blocks away from the damaged Christchurch Cathedral.

Cardboard covers over ceiling joists; covers may be primarily used to pour concrete piers.