Sunday, February 27, 2011

Christchurch New Zealand

Last week's devastating earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand sent me to my archives.
 We had visited New Zealand in 2007, a wonderful trip but three weeks were far too short to get to know this beautiful country and its friendly people.
 We only had a few hours to spend in Christchurch but that was enough to know that it is a special place.
 I watched the chess players in the square with their giant chess pieces.
 The punters on the river Avon.
 We enjoyed the historic buildings of Canterbury College.
The Canterbury Provincial Council building.
 Christchurch Cathedral
The beauty of Christchurch was not limited to the historic buildings.  There are, or were, many beautiful modern buildings as well.
The Art Museum.

I wonder which of these buildings are still standing.  I know the Cathedral was badly damaged and I'm sure many other buildings we had admired have been damaged as well.  However sad the loss, buildings can be replaced, people can't.  I feel sad at the loss of life and I know the days ahead will be difficult for those dealing with their loss, may God ease their pain and give them strength to get through the coming days.

See more of our amazing world at That's My World, Tuesday, hosted for us each week by Klaus, Sandy, Wren and Sylvia.

16 comments:

Paulie said...

With your photos, I get to visit a place I can only get to in cyberspace. Thank you! I am sad for this country and its loss.

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

Great photos. Almost everybody I know that has visited NZ loved it. I hope that they can recover quickly.

clairz said...

Thank you for this post and the photographs, Martha. They are on my mind so much!

Unknown said...

Your photos brought everything closer!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

Gaelyn said...

NZ is high on my list. Your photos do it great justice. I am saddened for those who have lost.

Sylvia K said...

I have always wanted to go to NZ and I'm so very glad you had taken these while you were there! They're terrific and now I want to go even more! Such a great tour you've taken us on, Martha! Thank you!

Sylvia

Carver said...

It has been sad reading about the earthquake. Wonderful shots from your trip of a beautiful place. As you said loss of buildings is sad but the loss of life is irreplaceable.

Eve said...

What a beautiful location. It is so wonderful that you were able to visit before the earthquake!

Tania said...

It`s very sad.., but I`m glad to see the place with your photos. We pray for NZ these days.
Have a nice week!:-)

Arija said...

We, their nearest neighbours across the big ditch, feel deeply for our friends there. We mourn their losses as well as our Australian tourist. There are still three Australians on the missing list.
The devastation was not only in Christchurch centre but in other parts of the city as well with the ground liquifying and streets breaking up.
One hears rumours of an under sea volcano forming off shore. The great melting pot below the surface has not yet gone off the boil.

Thank you for sharing the beauty of what once was . . .

Jenn Jilks said...

Beautiful shots. I have felt for NZ. Terribly sad.
Cheers from S.E. Ontario Cottage Country!

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Having been in the country brings the tragedy closer to home I imagine. I have never been fortunate enough to go to New Zealand, but we visited New Orleans and the nearby Miss/LA area just 4 months before Hurricane Katrina. I know I would have been devastated anyway (just as I am about NZ) but having been there and being able to identify buildings and landmarks and knowing something about the wonderful people brings it even closer.

I guess this is a good thing about travel -- usually we think of making the world smaller in a happy sense, but it makes us more empathetic in sad situations as well.

Thanks for sharing memories of a happier time in Christchurch.

eileeninmd said...

What lovely memories you must have of your trip. Wonderful photos. I do feel sad for the people of New Zealand and Christchurch.

Kay L. Davies said...

Beautiful photos, Martha. I am so sorry this terrible thing happened, and so glad to have seen some of this beautiful city through your lovely photos.
-- K

Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel

Stewart M said...

Hi there - good to see people are thinking of NZ. I put a PS on my post on Tuesday and it seemed that most people did not even notice (or at least comment). Beauty and destruction in nature - you really cant have one without the other.

Never been to South Island, so good to see some pictures.

Cheers - Stewart M - Australia

Love Bears All Things said...

Thank you for sharing these beautiful photos...it looks like it was a great place to visit....we share some interests...Thanks for stopping by.
Mama Bear