Christchurch, Banks Peninsula with Akaroa and Transalpine with Kiwi Rail

Arriving in Christchurch in the evening, we clean up our campervan next morning and return it by noon to KEA, friendly welcomed by a young German backpacker lady working for KEA. A shuttle brings us to our B&B in the city. The driver, a man of about our age, expresses his frustration that even after three years, since the earthquake in Christchurch 2011, no real progress in rebuilding the city center is visible. We feel astonished about his depressive way of talking, which we did not experience up to now from any other Kiwi. They usually are very proud of their country! But we understand it when we do a city walk the afternoon: you cab see how beautiful this city must have been before the earthquake, but the damages are really depressing. Fotos may tell the story:

The 185 empty chairs reminding of the 185 victims of 2011 earthquake.

And signs of improvisation capabilities and reconstruction:

On Sunday we see in Christchurch museum an exhibition with fotos from the first days after the catastrophe. No words!

On Friday we decide spontaneously to follow the advice of a French couple we met the evening before, rent a chic Mini and do a tour to the Banks Peninsula with the picturesque harbor village of Akaroa. Stunning views, nice lunch in the sunshine, and on the way back a spectacular sunset on the Lake Forsythe. A perfect day, that ends with a nice dinner in the modern restaurant Fiddletwist. 

On Saturday we do the Transalpine tour with Kiwi Rail. The train crosses the Southern Alpes on it's slow way from Christchurch on the eastern side to Greymouth on the western side of south island. We better to let pictures talk than words.