Introduction This is a picture of me on the phone to the hotel in Christchurch where we are staying. I called them to find out more information about our visit. They were very helpful. Mum and I are going to Christchurch for a school field trip. Its a long way because we live in Upper Hutt. We are going by plane on December 14 th and coming back on the 16 th. We are going to see the Red Zone, some earthquake stuff and visit the Airforce Museum. Mum is going to have an operation on her eyes in Christchurch, so she wont need glasses.

Packing Things I need to take to Christchurch Binoculars Camera GPS to get around Food to eat for snacks Drink bottles Pyjamas and extra clothes Toothbrush and shampoo Good footwear for walking Books and dvds for when we get bored. Togs for the pool Cellphones A suitcase

Getting there We are going on an Air New Zealand Plane from Wellington to Christchurch. This is a copy of my ticket. The flight is 45 minutes long. We have to be at the airport 30 minutes before the flight, but I think we should get there earlier so we dont miss the plane if we had a flat tyre or something. An extra 20 minutes would be a good idea.

Transportation We are a going to get a rental car in Christchurch at the airport. We will have it for Wednesday, and again on Friday. We will drive around to the places on our list and hopefully see some interesting things. We are going to Redcliff and the Red Zone, and the Air Force museum.

Hotel This is the hotel where we are staying in Christchurch. It is called the Copthorne Hotel. It has a swimming pool and a spa. It also a restaurant. I rang the desk and they said they dont have a dvd player in the room but they would see what they can do. That means they might be able to spare one. We could take one of the little ones we have at home. We have three little portable ones. We cant cook in our room because there is no kitchen. I want to take the waffle maker so we can make waffles for dinner. I also like instant mashed potatoes where you just add water. Those are some things we can cook without a kitchen. We can just buy dinner too if we want to.

Earthquake On February 22, 2011 at pm there was an earthquake in Christchurch. It measured 6.3. There was lots and lots of damage. There were lots of people killed, 181. Most were killed when buildings fell on top of them or they got crushed while they were in vehicles. Most of the damage was in the central city or the eastern part of Christchurch. There is an area in main part of the city called the Red Zone which is still closed and you cant go in there, except if you are on a special tour.

This is a trailer smashed under a giant boulder. The sign means beware of falling rocks. Ya think? The picture next to it shows the house half buried under a rockfall.

Red zone The Red Zone is where most of the damage has happened. Its too dangerous for people to go there. You are not allowed to go in there. There are special tours where you can go with a guide, but they will be closed by the time we get there. We can get close and have a look over the fence and a walk around.

Air Force museum Its free to get in the Air force museum. There is a tour that starts at 11 am that costs $10. there is a flight simulator and it costs $5 for five minutes and $10 for ten minutes. I am very excited about going in the flight simulator. You have to sit in the replica plane and its like you are in a real battle.

Mum and I are going to Christchurch in December to see the Red Zone, the Air Force museum, and some of the damage from the February earthquake. We are hoping to have a good time. We need to make sure we dont miss our flight! I hope we can take lots of pictures. I am most looking forward to the Flight Simulator at the museum.