20 degrees, mostly sunny
We left Akaroa and took the tourist drive towards Christchurch which took us over to the east coast bays of the peninsular, climbing over big hills with lovely views of Akaroa inlet as we went. We stopped at Pigeon Bay to have coffee and then when we made to continue there was a road sign saying ‘road not suitable for campervans’. Now they tell us! Had to take the road back most of the way we had come to SH75, the main road to Christchurch.
Arrived at our site at about 2 pm and caught the 3.30 pm bus into the city centre.
There is plenty of evidence of the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes, buildings in rubble or shored up to try to restore them; vacant lots where building have been removed and buildings obviously unoccupied with visible cracks in the exterior.
But they have made massive strides to transform the city by rebuilding in quality materials, relaying whole areas at high risk of liquefaction during earthquakes which involved re-homing thousands of people and setting up street art and murals to prettify the town during the rebuild. It will be a really lovely place when completed.
We took a tram ride around the town with the driver pointing out all the destruction and the new buildings, very interesting and entertaining.
Found a nice restaurant for dinner and then caught the bus back to the campsite.