A quick note that we have a routine at check-in - Adrian pulls up, I hop out and see if we can talk our way in to our room early. I start to get an adrenaline rush as we get close to our destination, will I be able to get us in, will I be able to charm, intimidate, coerce the desk person into letting us inhabit our space prior to the stated time of allowable check-in. In case you did not know, I am a bit competitive - bless my heart. Anyway, back to the check-in routine - so I get all jazzed and then all I have ever had to do was say our name - the room is always ready early, the people do not need coercion, intimidation, or batting of the lashes - a shame really as I like to think I am quite persuasive. So into our room we go. We lay claim to our rooms/beds - often quite labor intensive with the children - and then lay out our plan for the day(s) of our time in whatever place. Sometimes we have a list of things we would like to do and other times not. This was one of the "not" times.
We had a drive around town and were prohibited from driving in certain areas because still lots of damage apparent a full year later. We went to the Botanical gardens and had a great tour of the grounds by a very knowledgable woman. She told us all about all the earthquakes and the damage sustained. We saw the areas of most damage and were brought to tears by what the people of this area have gone through.
We were so amazed at the attitudes of all those we spoke with. They are a resilient people. A people with great ability to rebound and help their neighbor and come up with a new plan. There is lots of work going on and lots to do in Christchurch we were only here for one night and had to head out early for another day of travel. We hope to go back to check it out in more depth.
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| Christchurch from above
Off we go to Twizel...
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