Dec 5thFor the past few days I have been relaxing in the beautiful surroundings of Akaroa – a small fishing village and tourist resort in the Banks Peninsula about one hour from Christchurch. The village was claimed by the British days after the signing of the Treaty of Waitaingi (see your history) and fortunately we got the flag flying just 2 days before the French settlers arrived in the harbour.. thinking they could claim it as their own.. I imagine they dropped anchore.. pulled out the champagne and brie.. broke some bread to celebrate the end of a 3 moths journey to paradise only to see Union Jack fluttering there before them. I bet they said something like ‘Bugger’ or ‘Merde’ I suppose. Still, they stayed anyway under British rule (as it should be) and the town still has some French remans.. street names.. building styles etc….This site is a geological spectacle formed from the crater of a large volcano some 5 million years ago – it is now a stunning harbour inlet with clam blue waters and a hilly backdrop – imagine the Lake district with warm waters – and Dolphins! This is home to the rare and unique ‘Hectors Dolphin’ about the size of a seal and very playful. This morning I took a boat trip for a swim with them – and it was amazing . Different from the experience with Dusky dolphins in Kaikora (see 18th Nov) but nevertheless very moving. A small pod of 3 dolphins played with us (about 6 people) initially then one female stayed with us as the others left. I was photographed with some lovely shots of the dolphin which will be online – details posted shortly.As I write I am about to go horse riding – western style – which I love on quarter horses. It just doesn;t get any better than this place – it has everything! I only wish I could afford to stay here until the New Year but my hotel is costing me $140 per night – and there seems to be a massive influx of people over Christmas so little chance of a cheap room…. talking of my hotel.. it is more of a boudoir! I am staying in Akaroa Village Inns.. a series of waterfront apartments all privately owned and leased as hotels. I have a small living room, 24″ plasma TV, kitchen, bathroom and 2 bedrooms – obviously I only need one, but it’s nice to give my luggage somewhere of its own to sleep! The decor is mad! The owners have a penchant for Safari.. leopard print is everywhere – even framed and stuck on the wall, the chairs are in animal fur.. leather sofa.. wooden carvings.. wierd ornaments. Not sure if they are voodoo thing but I’m, not taking any chances…. The bathroom is oddly different. All french and pink poodles – really! Parisien photos, burlesque ornaments and a pink sequened stilletto handbag pinned to the wall byt the shower (?). anyway, it is what I like to call ‘home’ for as long as it takes me to figure out my next plans. And it’s a chance to relax.. eat too much food (and there is loads of fab grub in this village) .. drink wine.. watch bad TV and Sleep.. blissfull sleep uninterrrupted by snoring or people packing their luggage at 4am… .. and NO alarms! Heaven! If you ever come to NZL – make time to visit Akaroa, you will not be disappointed.
