From sad to exciting destination
What a difference a few months can make.
Last year when travel writer Brook Sabin visited Christchurch he excoriated the city, labelling it sad, soulless and yet to fully recover from the devastating earthquakes of a decade ago.
After a return visit facilitated by promotional agency ChristchurchNZ, Sabin changed his tune. In a piece published yesterday, he apologised for his former remarks about the city and said – if you knew where to look – Christchurch was the most exciting destination in the country.
‘‘I still believe progress in some areas has been slow, but the city’s soul is very much alive and dancing to an exciting beat – albeit, one that can be a little hard to find if you’re new to the city,’’ Sabin said.
‘‘It’s a region full of exciting secrets; you just need to know where to look.’’
Among the highlights for Sabin were eating and checking out produce at Riverside Market and Little High Eatery, health and wellbeing complex The Welder, bouldering at climbing gym Uprising, kayaking on the Avon River and walking the Crater Rim Walkway.
Sabin came back to Christchurch last December, just months after his first, contentious column about the city was published. ChristchurchNZ arranged an itinerary and co-ordinated with local businesses, while Air New Zealand covered flights.
ChristchurchNZ general manager marketing, brand and communications Tim Loftus said arranging the trip was worthwhile to introduce Sabin to ‘‘our gem of a city’’.