This is the route we took as we documented Christchurch City. Starting up in The Commons, and finishing up at the Christchurch Museum on Rolleston Ave.The Commons. Situated on the land where the Crowne Plaza Hotel used to sit. The Crowne Plaza (formally the Parkroyal) was pulled down following the earthquake in February 2011. It is now privately owned land being used for public access.Plenty of colourful lunch spots.The vines growing up the sides of these arches look pretty fledgling. It will be exciting to see what it looks like in a few years time.A grandstand. Who knows what kinds of shenanigans could be gotten up to with this.This see-saw and miscellaneous blocks created an intriguing composition.Mini golf. We were not very good.These guys rocked it like champs.Gap Filler is a creative urban regeneration initiative that facilitates a wide range of temporary projects, events, installations and amenities in Christchurch. They’re the people behind a lot of the small little pieces dotted around the city.More golf.A pleasing array of plants, all up for exchange.Gap Filler has offices here, which are found in these funky looking buildings.The garden clock. Looking much as it always has done.The mighty Avon river. Here is a Willow tree right across from a Cabbage tree.Queen Vic. Severe as ever.I couldn’t remember what building used to be here, but the broken columns jutted out from behind the fence like a forest of trees.Wooden ducks.There was something very calming about this, despite it being the result of such destruction.Both Natalie and I thought it would be cool if this were maintained in some way as a monument. I could see a boardwalk being built out among the ruins (probably with some barrier to ease the health and safety requirements).Traffic cones, in their natural environment.The tram. Any local will curse this with pleasure, as every single one of us has at some point been stuck behind one in traffic, or have fallen off our bikes due to the tracks everywhere. For tourists only.
