Ice and Quakes

Christmas Day, our visit is to Akaroa, the port for the nearby city of Christchurch devastated by earthquakes in 2010/11.

The drive to the city from the port is about one and three quarter hours through very scenic countryside including mountainous territory.

First stop was to the International Antarctic Centre where you can learn much about that continent and experience life there without actually setting foot there. A very enjoyable experience.

International Antarctic Centre

We had an extremely rough and tumble trip in these sled vehicles to replicate local travel in the Antarctic.

We spent time in this chill room where the temperature was lowered to -18ºc.

Christchurch remains a site of major destruction with empty lots where buildings once stood, other buildings abandoned and boarded up and others still, like its Cathedral, still bearing its damage.

Christchurch Cathedral

We travelled on a couple of trams that run on a limited track of what remains of the former city loop.

The view towards Akaroa;