Akaroa

Akaroa

Today we took a bit more time to explore the town. It feels very cozy, and the many shops and restaurants make the place lively. At least when there are tourists. The town has about 700 residents, but this number doubles during the summer months. By the way, there is also the only 'real' supermarket on the peninsula – it is quite manageable but offers a bit of everything. The obligatory pies as a warm snack cannot be missed.

Today it worked out! The boat tour with Black Cat Cruises, which had to be canceled yesterday, was able to take place. And it was worth it. We were incredibly lucky and were able to see at least 12+ Hector's dolphins in one location. The animals were even in a playful mood. Afterwards, we visited the cliffs of the bay, with Cathedral Cove as the highlight. Since the sea was relatively calm, we could also visit the neighboring bay with New Zealand fur seals (with pups since December) before heading back. The Nature Cruise was definitely an experience and worth every cent. Just being able to see the cliffs from the sea made it worthwhile.

The weather has been getting worse, and we are now experiencing the first rain here. Of course, the wind is also present; otherwise, it wouldn't be uncomfortable enough.

To ensure the day wasn't too boring, we drove to Magnetic Bay. The last 3 km of the road were once again nerve-wracking. At least the weather was still dry in the shelter of the mountains, so the trip was worthwhile.