The Germans were baffled though the familiar faces of Richie McCaw and Graham Henry inspired some muffled laughter from Cantabrians aboard NZ888 from Sydney last night. But Air New Zealand's humorous safety briefing featuring All Black players and management was superseded by more disturbing images as the flight descended into Christchurch. Understandablythe airline's destination guide to the city has not yet been updated to reflect the havoc wrought by the 6.3-magnitude earthquake which struck last Tuesday lunchtime. So as the introductory video rolled Gail and Adam Hurley gazed in disbelief as Christchurch Cathedral, spire intact, dominated the screen. ``It's gone,'' they said in unison before making the same sad pronouncement as the Arts Centre, Cashel Mall's shopping precinct and Oxford Terrace's bars and eateries were showcased in the Garden City's promo. ``That's gone, that's gone, it's all gone,'' the couple echoed as they visualised the disintegration of Christchurch's tourism industry. Aware Christchurch's fate had been broadcast throughout the world, there were two reminders from the first officer that weather conditions were perfect in the city; on arrival the lead flight attendant made a point of welcoming locals home before adding: ``And to our international visitors thank you so much for still coming''. Yet the outsiders' time in Christchurch will be fleeting. Elin and Fredrik from Sweden were staying in the terminal, its carpets still reeking after the sprinkler system was inadvertently jolted into action during the deadly tremor, until their overland connection south arrived. The 21 Germans were met by Siegrun Koop about midnight and ushered on to a bus for the three-hour drive to Tekapo before linking up with their cruise ship MS Amadea in Auckland via Methven and Ashburton. Ms Koop, a part time English teacher who lost friends and colleagues when the Canterbury TV building collapsed, said those latest arrivals would also be her last for the season. ``The Germans have issued a travel advisory; there's been 100 percent cancellations,'' she said. ``It's a real shame, tourism will suffer here for a long time.'' One wheelchair-bound German did offer a glimmer of hope for the future, however. ``Dresden, my city, was destroyed during the (Second World) War and it was rebuilt. The same thing can happen here if the people are strong,'' Heinz Menden said.
