Hi everyone, thanks for the kind messages. We just got back online after spending the last two days in Tongariro National Park. The Christchurch quake happened shortly before we went offline, so we’re just now coming to grips with the extent of the damage. We are on the North Island in Palmerston North, and all is okay here.
Our original travel plans have us flying to Christchurch next Tuesday, March 1st. We are not sure yet if that’s still the plan – we need to wait and see if the Christchurch airport will reopen to non-essential flights. We still hope to go to the South Island; while the city is reeling, tourism is a large part of the South Island’s economy, and we hope to be able to contribute in a small way by simply being there and supporting the local businesses that are able to reopen. The New Zealand Red Cross also is requesting support to help those impacted by the quake; if you’d like to make a contribution, you can do so here: http://www.redcross.org.nz/donate
Christchurch is my favorite city in New Zealand, and I remember exploring it with my mom when she visited me here. It has beautiful architecture, lots of art galleries, and a spectacular botanical garden. Our thoughts are with those who have been affected by this disaster.
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Good to hear you are ok. I’ve been thinking about you guys and wondered when you would be traveling to or if you already were in Christchurch. Travel safe and hopefully you can make it to South Island. I keep thinking about their church right in center square…from the news it looked like the steeple may have come down and I’m hoping that’s not the case. xoxo
Good news! We knew you were in the North Island so we weren’t too worried.
I’ve been listening to Christchurch radio on my iPad. It seems like the people there are pulling together in face of this diaster.
Travel safe.
Unfortunately it looks like the steeple did come down. The good news is that they didn’t find anybody in the steeple rubble. It’s terrible, many of the old buildings in the CBD (Central Business District) were damaged. From talking with people here, it’s too soon to think about rebuilding plans. xo