Christchurch
On Monday we continued to Christchurch to visit Emma, Sebastian’s friend who used to be a chef with him on the super yacht.
Emma’s parents live in a beautiful house in a suburb of Christchurch. Emma was home on leave from the boat. We parked the Camper van and Emma took us on a tour around Christchurch, which had been devastated by a major earthquake 7 years ago almost to the day. ( title picture an installation of chairs for every person who died)
Whilst some people believe the reconstruction of the city has been rather slow I felt the town planners and architects were putting a lot of effort into designing a new city centre with nice public spaces. There is even an Anthony Gormley statue.
The cathedral is still a pile of rubble but a decision has been taken to rebuild it.
In the meantime the city has a cardboard cathedral.
Emma cooked a fabulous dinner for her parents and us and we spent the night in a proper double bed, what a luxury.
The next morning the long awaited rain and ‘cyclone’ downgraded to a storm hit! We thought it is time for some hot springs.
Tony and Friedericke travelling 