Wednesday, 22 June 2016

South Island New Zealand - to Akaroa on the East Coast

Thursday, February 11

This morning we leave beautiful Hanmer Springs and start driving towards Christchurch.






I don't feel I want to hang around in Christchurch, so I'm heading directly towards Akaroa.
The drive is absolutely magical.






In the middle of the afternoon, we finally arrive in this gorgeous town.......not in the interesting blue vehicle, but in the ordinary little silver one.


Having had very patchy internet access, booking accommodation ahead has been a bit impossible, so now we have to go to the Info Center to book what we're told is the last room in town for $290!
Still, beggars can't be choosers. Although at that rate we could very quickly become real beggars.





It is very huge and very beautiful, of course, but to get the best out of it one would have to stay quite a few days. I'd definitely be a beggar then.

We get some washing going to make use of the perfectly good laundry and wander into town for a bit of a look and to get some supplies.









Akaroa is a very beautiful place and will immediately be put on the list of 'visit again' places. Only next time perhaps in the off-season.




Friday, February 12

Up early as usual, I take some photos from our balcony.
But we soon have breakfast, pack up and go to town.





I'm booked to go on a 'swim with the dolphins' cruise. Since we have to wait a little while, we have another little look around.

This chap catches my eye, of course.




To swim with the dolphins, I have to wear a full wet suit - complete with booties. It is a pretty hot day and while on board ship, it gets terribly uncomfortable all dressed up in rubber.

Nevertheless, the harbour cruise is very beautiful. We do eventually see some of the lovely little dolphins and a couple of times, they lower the steps, so we can all get into the water without frightening the dolphins by making a big splash.

The crew mention that the dolphins are inquisitive and will come to investigate any sounds that we might make, so I get into the water and start to hum quietly.
Unfortunately, there are idiots wherever you go, like all those hooligans who translate the word sound into racket and deafening noise.

Do we get to actually swim with dolphins? Of course not, the poor animals get the fright of their lives and flee the scene.

Never mind, I got a glimpse of them from the boat and I enjoy being in the water for a while. Pity about that huge wet suit though. Being quite buoyant by nature, I am now so extra buoyant that I can't get my legs down. It's quite hilarious.



Hector's dolphin is the best-known of the four dolphins in the genus Cephalorhynchus and is the only endemic cetacean to New Zealand. At approximately 1.4 m in length, it is one of the smallest cetaceans.

The pictures below are from the internet, seeing I don't have any of my own.



Soon after we come back from the cruise, we travel on to a place called Little River, where I have managed to get a night's accommodation at a farmstay.

This is a very idyllic place and definitely one to put on my list for another time.


Not surprisingly, I sleep like a log tonight.

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