Christchurch

Christchuch is rich in history but also raw with the pain of recent devastating earthquakes. It is a city in a state of rebirth that is thriving but still has a long way to go. Much of the downtown area is closed off for demolition and reconstruction. It's interesting though as they rebuild they are making it much more bicycle friendly with dedicated lanes and free public bike stands with pumps, tools, etc. Many of the original businesses from downtown have reopened in modified shipping containers because their buildings are still red-tagged. I guess that is the downside of historic architecture. We learned that lesson in Santa Cruz too. Some highlights included the Botanic Gardens, the Canterbury Museum and the beaches around New Brighton.