Tomorrow (Tues, 28 February), New Zealanders will be observing two minutes of silence from 12.51pm, exactly one week after the Christhurch earthquake. We will be doing this to honour the quake victims.

I won’t be blogging for the rest of the week as well.

Kia Kaha (be strong) New Zealand xoxo

Christchurch – Then and Now Images:  NZ Herald

The whole of New Zealand, and people from around the world, are mourning for Christchurch.

As you meet people, you know what is on their mind, because it is on yours too.

We are worried, and we feel so sad for everyone in Christchurch.

I find that in quiet moments, it is hard to think about anything else.

You can see in this footage of a CCTV in a supermarket, how ferocious the earthquake was.

http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/supermarket-cctv-footage-moment-earthquake-struck-0-12-video-4039048

Then, you read first hand accounts of what people went through, and you can’t help but wonder how you would have handled it, if it happened to you.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/christchurch-earthquake/4693057/The-day-the-earth-roared

Air New Zealand has graciously provided cheap flights to and from Christchurch. This site, is constantly being updated.

http://www.airnewzealand.co.nz/christchurch-earthquake-update

Go to this comprehensive page for all sorts of information. Like how to donate (which is what they really need right now), and information about who to contact if you are worried about friends and loved ones. This page is also kept up to date with new information.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/christchurch-earthquake/4692248/What-you-need-to-know

Also from the site, they included some important information, that we could all could benefit from:

ARE YOU READY?

• Ensure that you have an emergency survival kit and work out where the best place is to store it.
• Identify safe places in your home or workplace – such as under tables or beside walls – where you can quickly get to when a quake hits.
• Check your household insurance policy for cover and amount.
• Discuss ways to get in touch with family, and plan for reuniting.
• Arrange authorised people to collect children from school and provide the school with a list of these people.
• Establish a meeting place in case your house becomes unusable or family members are separated.
• Allocate tasks for those at home, such as turning off power, checking on neighbours.
• Do a first aid course.
• Know where your nearest civil defence centre is.

IF A QUAKE HITS …

• Whether inside or outside you should stop, drop to the ground and cover your head with your hands.
• If inside a building, try to get under a doorway or table, but only if it is less than two metres away, so you are not hit by falling debris.
• If driving, immediately pull over and stop.
• If you are at the beach or near the coast, immediately after the quake move to higher ground in case a tsunami follows.
• If in a damaged building, try to get outside and find a safe, open place.
• If there is a smell of gas or electrical sparks or broken wires can be seen, try to turn off gas and power at the mains.
• Listen to the radio for information and advice.
• Do not go sightseeing to look at the damage that the earthquake has caused.
• If your property is damaged, take notes and photographs for insurance purposes.

Peace be with you all xoxo

Christchurch Cathedral Image: NZ Herald

I heard the news that Christchurch had suffered a devastating earthquake after hopping onto Facebook today.

I switched on the TV, hoping to find out more information. Both TV1 and TV3 had dedicated their channels to covering the earthquake.

It was grim.

Buildings flattened, cars squashed by falling debris and injured people. Unlike the Christchurch earthquake in September, this time we had fatalities…

The latest update was there were 65 confirmed dead, with the number expected to rise.

Christchurch is the beautiful city that my husband and I went on our 10 year anniversary last year.

To see the places that we admired, reduced to rubble was heartbreaking. This is how I remember the Christchurch Cathedral:

Christchurch Cathedral Image: mkiwi.com

My Great-Uncle and Great-Aunt live in Christchurch, along with their children and grandchildren. I was relieved to hear my dad had been able to get in touch with them, and that they are well. What a relief. Through Facebook, I was able to find out that other friends in Christchurch were safe.

Social media like Twitter, news websites, Facebook etc have been able to keep worried New Zealanders up to date of the news coming out of Christchurch.

There was even a Twitter and Facebook request to Wellintonians, asking if they had spare beds for those stranded at the Wellington airport. Within 10 mins, another update informed us that accommodation had been arranged for everyone that needed it.

Late into the night, TV1 and TV3 continued their coverage on the earthquake. I was in awe as I watched first hand the rescue workers and civilian rescuers, risking their own lives to try to assist others in need. True heroes.

My older daughter was told about the earthquake at school by one of the teachers. After dinner, the kids started talking about what they would do in an earthquake. Who would get them if they were at school when an earthquake happened? What if something happened to mum and dad? Would an earthquake happen tomorrow? Would one happen tonight?

Such a time of uneasiness and worry, especially for those who are directly impacted by the earthquake.

Our hearts and prayers are with you. xoxoxo

FYI:

Info from Air NZ

http://www.airnewzealand.co.nz/christchurch-earthquake-update (Good on you Air NZ!!)

Special airfares and additional flight capacity

All available fares on Air New Zealand domestic services from any point on the domestic network to/from Christchurch for booking and travel through until 8am Friday morning are available for $50 one way. These can be booked via the Air New Zealand website and call centre.

In addition, Air New Zealand will operate a return Auckland-Christchurch service tomorrow utilising a Boeing 747-400, with seats available at the $50 fare.

Times for the special additional flights are as follows:

• Depart Auckland 10:30, arrive Christchurch 11:50
• Depart Christchurch 13:20, arrive Auckland 14:50