I visited Christchurch on this past call in Akaroa. The city is open for business, as it proudly proclaims and as evidenced by its world-famous reStart mall comprised of shipping containers. But it is still a city crippled by the devastating earthquakes. There are whole sections of the city that are inaccessible. Of course, tours have cropped up to get tourists 'behind the barriers' to glimpse the wreckage.
Or you can walk right up to the chain link fence stretching across the road and see for yourself. The damage is too widespread to hide.
I went to observe, to take in the impact of a large-scale earthquake in a bustling city. But I ended up pulling out my camera, like every other tourist. I felt like a voyeur. But the grass growing through the bricks was what hit home for me.
Grass doesn't grow through bricks in a living city. It looked like the apocalypse had happened. The simple act of walking over sidewalks keeps them plant-free. One year along, and these streets are being reclaimed.
But right down the block is the thriving reStart container mall, with trendy stores, restaurants and architecture assembled from shipping containers.
After a tour through the town I ended up at the botanical gardens.
They seemed healthy and sound.
Except for the buildings, which couldn't be entered due to structural instability.
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