In the morning, as we were making our way to the tour bus to Christchurch, this sign caught my eye.
As you may recall, Christchurch was in the headlines in February 2011 for its major earthquake. Our tour guide said that the city center was closed for two years. Tourism completely stopped: there was no place to sleep or eat. Seven years later, the city is still being rebuilt. The height limit is seven stories. Concrete pilings are now used to counter the effects of liquefaction, but all these extra precautions resulted in higher rent. Lots of artwork is scattered about to help brighten the city.
This immense cathedral was to be demolished, but preservationists stepped in and an expensive restoration is underway.
Old shipping containers are being used as protective barriers, in case damaged facades collapse.
The highlight today was the Willowbank Wildlife Reserve, said by our guide to be the best of its kind.
https://www.willowbank.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Willowbank_mapHR.jpg
https://www.yelp.com/biz/willowbank-wildlife-reserve-christchurch
They have a well thought-out aviary. Here, the guide fed honey to parrots.
Compare the kiwi egg to a chicken’s.
Since kiwis are nocturnal animals, we saw them walking within darkened rooms. I always imagined kiwis to be small, pigeon-sized birds that could be held up in one hand. The actual sizes of kiwi bodies are huge spheres; as big as bowling balls!
Outside the café window was this herd of deer.
…plus this peafowl near their legs.
We stopped at the Antarctic Centre to pick up more passengers. This place was not part of our tour itinerary, but the reads for it sound like a very interesting site:
https://www.yelp.com/biz/international-antarctic-centre-christchurch?osq=Things+to+Do
Given the choice between going to Antarctica or going here, this would be more to my liking.
https://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=Things%20to%20Do&find_loc=christchurch%2C%20New%20Zealand
This Olde Traveloger 
Enjoying your colorful blog!
Karen and I will be visiting the same cities but in reverse order next month.
We start in Sydney on Holland America’s MS Nordam and disembark in Auckland 2-1/2 weeks later.
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Excellent! So, you’ll be visiting Karen’s cousin M.M.’s former home. Have a terrific time! Plan things carefully. Fast forward through all of “The Lord of the Rings” films. Shoot anything and everything with your cameras without hesitation (I didn’t and am regretting it). Thank you for your affirmative reply!
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