Lyttelton Harbor

Lyttelton, NZ (May 27, 2008)

This is the view from Bridle path. The Bridle path, as I described yesterday, intersects at the highest point the Summit road, that runs along the Crater rim walkway. This walkway crosses the Port Hills between Christchurch and Lyttleton, which are part of the extinct Lyttleton volcano. From the walkway one can see Christchurch on one side (see my previous post), and on the other the Lyttleton harbor. The photo above shows the inner portion of the harbor (Lyttleton would be to the left of the photograph). The Pacific ocean can be seen peeking behind the hills on the horizon.

The port of Lyttelton

The Lyttelton harbor had been the home of Māori for centuries when it was discovered by Europeans in 1770 during the first voyage of James Cook's HMS Endeavour to New Zealand.  It was settled by the Canterbury association in 1848, the first colony of the Church of England in New Zealand. Lyttelton was hit very hard by the February 22, 2011 and its subsequent aftershocks. There was widespread destruction due to the proximity and shallowness of the epicenter to the city. Extensive damage lead to the demolition of high-profile heritage buildings such as the Harbour Light Theatre, the Empire Hotel and the Timeball Station. Reconstruction was deemed too expensive and as such much of the architectural heritage of the city was lost, including Canterbury's oldest stone church, the Holy Trinity.

One thing impressive about New Zealand is how well its government works. Being Italian, living in the US and being married with a Venezuelan this seems quite shocking. Roads, for example, are really well maintained. All road, even the small walking paths like the Bridle path. Need proofs? Look at the public documents of the Christchurch City Council concerning the maintenance of Bridle path...

Lyttelton, NZ (May 27, 2008)