Christchurch is New Zealand’s second-largest city and the gateway to the South Island.  Bordered by hills and the Pacific Ocean, it is situated on the edge of the Canterbury Plains that stretch to the Southern Alps.  On arrival, we were transferred to our absolutely stunning hotel, the Chateau on the Park, rested up after our flight and had a delightful dinner at the hotel.  The next morning we enjoyed a guided tour of the city.  Christchurch is a vibrant, cosmopolitan place with exciting festivals, theatre, modern art galleries, and great shopping.  In the centre of the city is the gently winding Avon River.  However, it has been plagued by earthquakes over the past few years.  Sept 2010, Dec 2010, Feb 2011, and Nov 2016.   There have been 12,000 aftershocks over the past 6 years.  The quake of Feb 2011 was not as strong as 2010 but was faster, more shallow and did much more damage.  185 lives were lost and most of the city was damaged.  16,000 homes have had to be demolished and the total cost has been about 60 billion dollars.  The city is resilient and is being rebuilt but it will take time and money.

The second picture is a memorial – white chairs depicting all 185 lives lost.

After our morning touring Christchurch we drove to Pegasus Bay Winery.  Pegasus Bay is owned and operated by the Donaldson family who were pioneers of the local wine industry.  We enjoyed lunch and (yet another delighful) wine tasting experience.  We sat outside and ate a gourmet lunch of fish, venison, oysters, potatoes, salad, gnocchi and desert.  The wine was also lovely.

Late afternoon and evening were independent.  Some had dinner at the hotel and some went for Thai food.  Another beautiful day.