NEW ZEALAND, AUCKLAND BY NIGHT

 Quite unexpected, there was street violence on both nights we spent in Auckland. One night ended with multiple arrests and injured cops.

 Dairy by night.

 Canadian spud makes good!

THE END IS NEAR.

NEW ZEALAND, AUCKLAND BY DAY

MARCH, 2013

NEW ZEALAND, CHRISTCHURCH - SMALL JET AIRLINER

MARCH, 2013

After nearly four thousand kilometers we had reached our southern terminus in Christchurch. Here we have left our trusty rental and now in one hour time we will be in Auckland

Ruapuna Motorsport Park

Island Hop.

 On our final approach into Auckland, the car park out the window was where not three weeks before, Kate and I first stop to catch our breath after all the business of arriving and car rental. 

We arrive for our brief Auckland stay as a ANZ bird, similar, if not the actual plane we will take to YVR,  heads out to some departure tarmac.

Had another one of those "HOBBIT SAFETY VIDEOS" I thought that the only ones who understand those movies fly "VIRGIN AiR"

PAUL NEMY, MT COOK NATIONAL PARK, NEW ZEALAND, 1978, WHERE'S "HOOKER" AT?

March, 2013

Kate and I were soon to leave the South Island. Our plan was to take a quick flight from Christchurch to Auckland. There we will stage ourselvelves for a couple of nights before are run home (not actually running. Would have if it was only ten kilometers).

Even at my looking back, as evident from the fifty or so blog posts, we've had a hell of a time. Closing in on three weeks, we've have packed in a lot. Sadly though we leave, and possibly an excuse to return, without hitting our last targeted visit, Mt Cook National Park. Home to New Zealand's Southern Alps and some serious mountains and everything that goes along with them.

2013

 Here just plain old running out of time, Kate and I skirt by Mt Cook region in the distance.

1978

 Spent a couple of days hiking up Hooker Valley.

Hermitage Lodge.

 Here looking rather civilized, I believed I spent a night in the lodge. 

 Spent a couple of nights in this, Hooker Hut.

Here I'm lookin' like I could run a 10K footrace. Maybe one day. 
Grand Prix du Canada fashion ware. I remember spending a lazy afternoon in the sun watching and listening to huge chunks of glacier and snowmass falling of the the mountainsides. 

Met this fellow at the Hooker Hut. We travelled together(he bummed a ride from me) for a short week afterwards. He was an American on a semi professional tennis circuit. If I remember correctly, what he lacked in success and stardom on the court he made up for in being a nice and fun guy.
 In a good way, I recall his USA bravado swagger.
Where's a car with a sun roof when you really need it.

NOT UP NEXT: WHAT'S UP WITH FLAVOURED POPCORN? RESURFACINING YOUR DRIVEWAY. NEW SEALANT.

NEW ZEALAND, CHRISTCHURCH, ASTRO LOUNGE

YES IT IS

 STUDYING THE SOUTHERN SKY.

NEW ZEALAND, CHRISTCHURCH, EARTHQUAKE, THE WALLS DID COME TUMBLING DOWN

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March 2013

Christchurch, New Zealand

On February 22, 2011, Christchurch had a game changer. What was called the most British city outside of Great Britain was dealt a seismic blow and suffered, as evident below. I couldn't write enough to capture Kate and mine mood as we did a somber walk around the fenced off perimeter of downtown. It very unfortunately seemed, from what we had seen of the area, unluckily, ground zero. For a city very dependent on tourism, devastating in more ways than one.

Still after two years, the whole of downtown is virtually fenced off.  Feeling very vacant.

We couldn't have taken enough photos to show the devastation. Endless multiple story buildings that appeared somewhat unscathed remain standing but sadly boarded up. A sad and more so, erie sight.

Will anyone come back to work on a 15th floor? Feel comfortable falling asleep in a high rise? Getting a room on your holidays in the Sheraton knowing whats above or below you? Park your vehicle in a multi tiered mass of concrete car park.

Most anything seems to have been done to preserve any facade still standing. Who knows what they will do with the rest.

On top of the casualties, upwards of seven thousand people were treated for various degrees of personal injury.

The fact that two years have past and the place looks void of any significant re-building has one wonder of this city's future. Could the HUGE additional cost of building to modern earthquake standards be a factor? 
Note the stack of shipping containers used as a secure for bracing. Used throughout the destruction.

An unfortunate exodus of many businesses and population leaves this city with an rather uncertain future. Auckland's sunny climes is also a contributing factor to locals leaving the rainy and voliatle south.

The lack of any current work being done on one of Christchurch's most notable attractions is evident by the untouched and random growth of weeds. Apparently the plans for reconstruction is mired in litigation between various interest groups and insurance companies. 
Can our higher power help us all. 

I feel sad for having visited for not the right reason.