Karl Lau weighs his options next to the spot his B&B
stood. The building was demolished after the February
earthquake. Photo by Linda Robertson.
Chef Karl Lau is one of those Christchurch residents in
limbo.
Before the earthquakes he had two houses side by side, one of
double brick he was turning into a bed and breakfast and one
of wood in which he lived.
After the stress of running a restaurant in Akaroa for 17
years, Mr Lau had been looking forward to a quieter life in
his new business.
However, the B&B succumbed in the February earthquake,
just a week before it was due to open.
Mr Lau was left with a beautifully landscaped section and a
patch of silt where the B&B once stood.
His ironically named C'est La Vie Boutique Accommodation is
now nothing more than a beautifully presented website,
www.cestlavie.co.nz.
Mr Lau's land is in the orange zone.
He does not know yet if he will be allowed to stay in his
wooden house and start again on his business.
He says he would prefer to leave.
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