One of Christchurch's taller buildingsOur bus took us through the very long tunnel under the mountains, and we emerged on the other side looking out at a scarcely-populated residential area and the gondola area. We didn't go on the gondola today because the weather was too misty.
We made our way through the industrial area to the southeast of Christchurch, and then through an urban residential area. The homes were on very small lots, barely large enough for the small one-level houses and a good deal of dense shrubbery and flower garden around it. Most had fences around the lots, and many were sheltered from the road by taller bushes and trees. They were very well-kept, and looked very nice with their colorful gardens and unique architectures.
We eventually entered the downtown area, and saw lots of traditional shops and marketplaces: butcher shops, barber shops, dairy shops, tea houses, etc... There were increasing signs of modern buildings encroaching, however, including a few taller high rises (probably up to 20 stories).
One of Christchurch's taller buildings
We made our way through dense housing and public buildings, past the Bridge of Remembrance, which is dedicated to the soldiers who fought in the World Wars. It's inscribed with the names of battles in which New Zealanders fought.
The Bridge of Remembrance
We also drove by Victoria Park (Square?), part of Christchurch's cultural center. We were told about the renovations to the park's water works, which are indeed very pleasant.
Victoria Park