Welcome to Banks Peninsula, home of The Hector’s dolphins and eco-tourism pioneers Black Cat Cruises

SHAKEN BUT NOT DISTIRBED

There are two things that struck me most when the devasting earthquake in Christchurch

The peaceful seaside village of Akaroa

struck on the 22nd of February.  The first was how powerful it is and how powerless you feel.  There is nothing to do but sit (or hide) and wait until it is over.  Then there’s the reality that hits almost immediately that you are still alive and panic sets in as you fumble with your cell phone and try to get hold of loved ones.  It took me what seemed like forever to get the presence of mind to remember how to work the phone, my fingers were trembling so much and I temporarily forgot how to send a txt!!

The second thing is the randomness of it.  There is no warning, and how bazaar is it that one building is completely destroyed while another standing right next to it is completely untouched.

While Akaroa’s neighbour Lyttelton was devastated with many buildings collapsing, Akaroa remains undisturbed, all roads open, businesses operating and motels ready for guests, a little oasis in the sea of chaos that is Central Christchurch.  Akaroa is just 90 minutes drive from Christchurch airport so an ideal place to retreat to on arrival or departure from the South Island.