We left Christchurch on Monday morning, but it has taken me a while to know how to write about the city.

As I said in my previous post about a friendly and sporting welcome, people really are very friendly and helpful. Now we only had two nights there, so first impressions must count for something on this occasion.

The city has obviously been damaged long term by the Earthquake it suffered, walking around you see buildings still in a state of disrepair and in some cases completely abandoned. Yet around the corner there are brand new modern buildings like conference centers, the development is rather impressive and the combination of the two parts is rather beautiful.

On Sunday, we took advantage of the e-scooters in the area. Coming from rural West Wales this was a very new concept to me. A bit like the idea of a Boris bike I guess. You download the app, scan the scooter and off you go! A very cheap, and fun way to get around, we even went to and from meetings on the scooters on Monday as well, brilliant fun and you definitely arrive at the office smiling!

As part of our scooter tour we passed the park where people have left flowers following the recent shooting. I felt the atmosphere in the area change, there was a very somber feel, not surprising I know, but the emotions I felt took me by surprise. I fully understand how this horrific event was such a shock to everybody here, people are trusting, friendly and so welcoming, For somebody to come and try to ruin that is just beyond words. The fight back that NZ have risen to is fantastic and I admire their attitude. It isn’t okay for this to happen here and the nation have come together on this.

Still struggling bit with jet lag….nothing better than waking up at 2am and so hungry – refraining from raiding the mini bar of any snacks! An adrenaline moment was needed. Now, I am no fan of heights, and I had been warned by my husband and family members not to bungy, so we managed to get a jet boat trip up the river just out of the city. This gave me a very fresh face, brilliant fun and a chance to travel up a massive river – I had actually photographed it on the way into Christchurch from the plane.

Having initially thought there wasn’t much in Christchurch (how arrogant) I have grown to like Christchurch alot, but as always it was time to move on to the next. The next stop is Dunedin, I will update you sooner about this stop.

Thank you for reading x