Okains Bay & Akaroa

Kia Ora,

I'm back with another post about my tour on the peninsula south of Christchurch. I stopped here after my hike up Mount Vernon in Okains Bay. The way there was definitely something special and the views from the road were spectacular.

At the beginning I actually thought about taking a day trip from Okains Bay to Akaroa and going hiking there. Since the path was very winding and not quite as short as I thought, I decided to just spend a day at the campsite and read a little and wash the clothes I had bought.

The weather was good (although windy (as it always feels like in New Zealand)) so I went for a little walk and looked at the beach and the surrounding area while my laundry hung out to dry in the sun.

Unfortunately, at the campsite, the washing machine ate my first 4 dollars and instead of the money for the washing machine, the campsite warden gave me a stone that he had collected and polished himself. In general the guy was very, very funny and we talked for a good hour. He also offered me his kayak. However, I didn't take any risks because I neither knew nor could assess the bay or its currents.

Since I was very excited about the idea of sailing on water, I spontaneously booked a sailing tour near Akaroa for the next day. The tour takes place on one of New Zealand's oldest sailing boats. During the winter months, the owner uses the boat to teach children (especially with difficult stories) to sail on a donation basis. Pretty pretty cool! There were also some super exciting facts and stories about the area and also about the Hector dolphins.

And then we were able to observe the world's smallest dolphins in their natural habitat. A great experience! In the middle of the trouble of sailing I met my good Freud Stuard. He rode black on my arm on the tour. I didn't rat him out although I thought he was a little clingy.

We also saw a penguin and a few seals.

The entire coastline was really amazing!

It wasn't just Stuart who had a wonderful encounter on the boat - I met an older Kiwi couple on the boat who came from the North Island and with whom I had a very, very nice chat throughout the entire boat trip. Victoria then gave me her number straight away and said that as soon as I got to the North Island I could definitely stay with you at the ranch for a few days/weeks. The Kiwis are just sooooo great and nice people. Even in the city center of Christchurch (i.e. a "big city") people smile at you or back when you smile at them.

After the tour, I asked the skipper where the best fish & chips were in the city and then waddled straight there to treat myself to a portion of fish & (sweet potato) chips.

At one of the souvenir shops I burst into a fit of laughter because I read a wonderful saying on a towel. After I had strengthened myself, I wanted to explore the small French whaling town on foot and walked around the area a bit.

I found a beautiful little natural paradise in the city center and wandered around there. There were a lot of wonderful big trees here and no matter where I looked it was green.

The park or all the paths in the park ended at the Akaora lighthouse.

Akaora is a small town that was founded by the French and was particularly famous for whaling. There are also old witnesses all over the city who point this out.

After staying in Akaora, I went to my next campsite and spent 2 nights there. This is where I did the Te Oka Track. But more on that in the next post.

Your Britta