Imechapishwa: 14.02.2018
Our next stop was on the Banks Peninsula. This peninsula was formed over eight million years ago by two massive volcanic eruptions. The largest town on the peninsula is the sleepy fishing village of Akaroa. The town has a rich history. In 1840, 63 French settlers embarked on the long journey to claim the peninsula for themselves. However, at that time, the Treaty of Waitangi had already been signed, so they were intercepted and reprimanded by the English settlers. Despite this, the French settlers stayed, giving the small town of Akaroa a French charm. Whether it's the street names or the bistros, everything reminds you a little of France.
Our campsite was located just outside Akaroa in Okains Bay. The drive there was quite scenic. The Summit Road runs over and along the green mountains. We could admire small bays and the turquoise water.
The campsite didn't promise much, but for €8 per person, you can't expect too much. The best thing about it is definitely the location! Right after we arrived, we headed to the nearby beach. It was a beautiful, wild beach with a shallow entrance, lots of seashells, and high cliffs on both sides. We strolled along the sea and enjoyed the calm atmosphere.
There were only a few clouds left in the sky for the sunset. So, we set an alarm for the night. We wanted to take the opportunity to photograph the starry sky. And so, at 2:00 AM, we went outside. The disappointment followed quickly. We realized that our DSLR camera lens couldn't capture enough light. So, we relied on our small digital camera. It held up for a few tries, and the result was better than expected. The starry sky was breathtaking. We had never seen anything like it in Germany! In New Zealand, we hadn't had the opportunity yet. Either the clouds obstructed our view or there were too many light sources nearby. But on this night, the conditions were almost perfect. We forgot about the cold and tiredness and spent a good 30 minutes under the sparkling starry sky - we even saw a shooting star. :)
The next morning started with an ice-cold shower. Furthermore, it must be said that all the facilities were very dirty. The communal fridges were moldy, and the toilets... well, let's just forget about them. ;) We're not here to linger at the campsite, but to explore the peninsula. So, we drove along the mountain road to go hiking. The "Otepatotu Track" takes you to the highest point of the peninsula in 45 minutes. Thanks to the sunny weather, we had a beautiful view. Then, we continued to Akaroa by car. Since we had no cell phone reception at the campsite, we briefly visited the library to contact our loved ones. Afterwards, we explored the rest of the town on foot. It is beautifully located and the small shops and boutiques at the harbor look inviting. Since we had lost our appetite for cooking in Okains Bay, we treated ourselves to some fish and chips. Tobi chose the grilled local salmon, and he was very satisfied with his choice. With full stomachs, we went for a walk to end the day. We walked along the waterfront promenade, visited various souvenir shops, and then watched a fisherman at work. He had just returned from his day trip and had some fish on board. He quickly took the fish out and cleaned them. The seagulls eagerly awaited the entrails. Then we returned to our bay and enjoyed the evening in a cozy atmosphere.
We were really looking forward to today. Not because we were leaving the campsite after two nights, but because we had booked a special tour for the afternoon. Before saying goodbye to Okains Bay, we went to the beach one last time. There wasn't much going on, except for three kayakers. But suddenly, another beach visitor drew our attention to a few Hector Dolphins. At first, we couldn't see much, but after careful observation, we saw them resurface again and again.
Hector Dolphins are not only the smallest dolphins in the world, with a maximum size of 1.5 meters, but they also live exclusively in New Zealand. Unfortunately, they are a highly endangered species. With only 10,000 dolphins left, they are one of the most endangered whale species in the world.
After we couldn't see them well from the beach anymore, we climbed up the nearby cliffs to get a better overview. From up here, we saw the beautiful animals surface and swim among the kayakers. It was simply magical. The dolphins came very close to the coast, and we could observe them in the clear water. There were definitely more than 15 dolphins in the bay. After almost an hour, the check-out time was getting closer, and the dolphins didn't show up as frequently anymore. On the way back along the beach, we discovered a dead seal - this is just one example of New Zealand's untouched nature.