Christchurch did not prove to be any disappointment despite its devastating earthquake back in 2010. Fresh from 28 hours of travel, I embarked upon the city and hit the Botanical Gardens. The gardens were so enchanting and the fall foliage was beautiful! My favourite part was the rose garden – you could smell the roses before you even turned the corner. They smelled so sweet and were so big and vibrant against the grey day.
After the lovely walk through the gardens I visited the Re:Start Centre downtown and saw the brightly coloured shipping containers. These big and colourful shipping containers were created as art in an effort to bring some life and vibrancy back to the city.
The construction is very apparent the further you walk into downtown. The cathedral square is still in complete ruins – as though an earthquake hit just the other day. It made me sad to see, but at the same time I was happy to be visiting. There is still such optimism and hope buzzing throughout. You can see and feel the amount of effort that is going into bringing life back into the city and the locals are very, very friendly.
While in Christchurch I stayed at Jailhouse Accommodation, which is an old jail turned into a hostel. My room had a tiny bunk bed and bars on the windows. Despite piling on several blankets I was still chilly in my room! I absolutely felt like a prisoner. There are a couple rooms kept exactly how they were when inmates stayed in them. The last prisoner that stayed here was in 1999, and his room remains the same – with tons of drawings and text scribbled along the walls.
I’m really glad I got to see Christchurch. I feel like it shouldn’t be missed when traveling to New Zealand. There is still beauty and life shining through the ruins. Simply visiting the city provides support and hope that it will soon reconstruct into something just as incredible as before.
Sounds like a lot of fun!
So much fun!
Great post and terrific vintage travel blog style and set up! It all works together quite nicely! Good stuff! -Renee
Thanks so much for visiting, Renee! :)
I love Chch, especially the Antarctic Center–all the fun of being there without the frostbite! {and the bad penguin smell}
:D !
Those shipping containers make interesting buildings. Great to see there is a will and a vibrancy to bounce back after what must have been a devastating experience.
Definitely. It was really neat (and special) to experience Christchurch, that’s for sure.
Jailhouse Accommodation sounds fun! We were in Christchurch last September, and couldn’t even get to the Botanical Garden. It’s great to see progress in rebuilding such a lovely old city.
Wow, really! That’s incredible. The gardens were lovely. If they weren’t available, there still wouldn’t be much to see I’m afraid. But as you say, lots of progress going into the rebuilding :D
Loved this post. It sounds like yuo may have been in Christchurch around the same time I was. I have yet to post about my Christchurch visit. And I totally agree that the Botanical Garden is wonderful.
Hi Linda, thank you so much for reading! I really liked Christchurch a lot and am glad I made the stop.
What a lovely peaceful park! I had a friend who stayed at the same prison hostel she said it was really cool! :)
It really was cool! A very different and unique stay.
I can’t wait to go back to New Zealand and see all of the things I missed when I was there. I only managed to see Auckland, but this has made me want to go back. The botanical gardens look beautiful, and I really like the image of the violinist on the street.
I’m glad you will be open to visiting Christchurch the next time you’re in NZ!
i dont know if i’d ever feel comfortable in a jail house, even if it has been renovated. u r much braver than i am haha
It is certainly a neat experience if you’re feeling up for something different!
What an interesting place to stay! I love that its still has characteristics from its time when it was a prison. I dont know if that is a good or bad thing but it make the experience of the stay that much more fascinating I guess.
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It was such an interesting concept for a hostel. I think you’d like to try it out!
I am so glad C`Church is starting to get back to normal. It looks so beautiful.
I’m so glad, too! The city had such devastation but is working so hard to put itself back together again,
Such a beautiful park. I loved the serene atmosphere and the lake is absolutely gorgeous!
Very glad you think so!
Beautiful photos, especially the lush flowers.
Thanks!
Great photos. Christchurch is on my to do list and your article was really interesting and good to hear still as lovely even whilst construction is going on.
Thanks! I’m glad to hear Christchurch is on your destination list!
Those gardens look beautiful! I could wander there all day. Sounds like you had a good trip!
They were especially beautiful and vibrant after a recent rainfall!
I’ll finally be visiting Chch in 98 days to be exact! Super excited! The botanic gardens look lovely and they are definitely on my list. I’m booking my accommodation this week and your the second person I have seen who recommends Jailhouse so I think that’s where I will end up too.
98 days – that is so exciting. I’d love to know how you found your stay at Jailhouse Accommodation.
Beautiful pictures. I remember reading very sad blog posts about this place, I’m very glad your experience was different.
There were sad emotions at times, but hope and positivity triumped still.
those roses! Wow! So pretty and huge! No wonder you could smell them from far away! Also a big fan of jail breaker coffee- totally somewhere I would go!
Biggest roses I’ve ever seen, that’s for sure! ;)
Love the river!! And ok, I’m going to come across as a complete ignorant here, but I didn’t even know Christchurch had an earthquake! Can I use “I live far away” as an excuse? :-)
Don’t worry about it – you know now! ;)
Sounds like a great time! The flowers are so pretty, and it’s nice to hear that the city is getting back on its feet.
Thanks, Jessica!
Those are some great photographs. I love the nature shots and then how you showed that the city is moving forward and rebuilding.
Thank you, Erin!
Wow! Now I am really looking forward to our trip to New-Zealand in December/January! Not sure WHERE exactly we are going though… :)
Awesome! Please keep Christchurch in mind when you do go ;)
I’ve never been to New Zealand. The Botanical Gardens in Christchurch are beautiful. I’m not sure I would be able to spend the night in a jail hotel.
It’s a really neat experience if you’re up for something different.
Great to hear things are looking better in Christchurch. And what amazing parks! I didn’t visit the city when I went to NZ. I’d love to go again!
Me too. Such a beautiful country.
Beautiful photos!!!
Thanks!