Our New Zealand adventure ended in Christchurch, on the eastern side of the South Island. The city has seen two earthquakes in the past year, the first one in September 2010 and the second in February 2011. The February earthquake was especially damaging to the center of town. The entire town center, which includes the business district, is closed down. There are fences around the center and no one can enter.
Temporary shoring
Our hostel, a one-story wood building, was about two blocks from the area that is fenced off. The green sign above the door meant it passed the inspection.
Happy to see our hostel is okay for occupancy.
Some buildings had major damage and others, sometimes just next door, to appeared to be just fine. Brick structures seemed to fare the worst.
This Baptist Church is now a pile of rubble.
The economic impact on the city has been huge. The total losses have been estimated at $12 billion US, making it New Zealand's costliest natural disaster ever and the third costliest earthquake ever.
We walked up to and peered through the chain-link fence but there were plenty of crippled buildings outside the fence too.
Temporary shoring
Buildings outside the city center were "triaged" and labeled so residents and owners would know whether or not they were allowed to enter.
Our hostel, a one-story wood building, was about two blocks from the area that is fenced off. The green sign above the door meant it passed the inspection.
Happy to see our hostel is okay for occupancy.
Some buildings had major damage and others, sometimes just next door, to appeared to be just fine. Brick structures seemed to fare the worst.
This Baptist Church is now a pile of rubble.
The economic impact on the city has been huge. The total losses have been estimated at $12 billion US, making it New Zealand's costliest natural disaster ever and the third costliest earthquake ever.
