CBD Reopening

Last weekend, the CBD reopened again, well partially, after months of being off bounds. This weekend, I finally had some time to make the pilgrammage...

The skyline, or what's left of it

Johnson's Grocer in the temporary Cashel St Mall

A walk down Colombo St...

Whole blocks bowled...

Last one standing - a music store I used to frequent for a few years...

Into the "Red" Zone - (Former) Bus Exchange on the left looking a bit battered, while the "quake strengthened" building (whose owner had proudly boasted of this fact in the papers months earlier) across the road is a long-gone goner

Drawing back the crowds - the iconic Ballentynes!

An ATM covered in dust. Hasn't been in action for months...

"Leaning Tower of Christchurch" Observation Station

Everyone trying to catch a glimpse inside the "Red" zone, in particular to see the preparations for the imminent demolition of the "leaning tower of Christchurch" (known in a former life as the Grand Chancellor Hotel)...

 they're going to start "deconstructing" it tomorrow, top-down. Apparently it's lean towards its south-east corner means that they can't exactly just blow it up, even though that'd be kindof cool to see...

Cashel St. "Restart" Mall

Shopping from shipping containers... who would've thought? Overall, it was quite a vibrant atmosphere, bustling with people having a look and generally milling around.

Or enjoying a drink...