Day 4 - Trip to Akaroa

Due to jet lag, I am up early and decide to drive to New Brighton Pier again for sunrise. The wind is so strong that it adds a free sand exfoliation on top.

Then I head towards Sumner to visit Cave Rock and then drive through Lyttelton towards Akaroa. I take the "tourist route" until my navigation system tells me to turn onto Duvauchelle Stock Route, a steep downhill gravel road. After a short thought, I decide that the RAV4 is an SUV after all, so let's go. The road is manageable downhill, but I wouldn't drive it uphill.

When I arrive in Akaroa, it's very quiet. Two years ago, there were two cruise ships anchored here and the place was bursting at the seams. Today, on the other hand, there are only a few people around. I briefly visit the lighthouse and walk along the promenade to the French bakery. Here, I enjoy a delicious toasted ham and cheese sandwich.

At lunchtime, I make my way back to Christchurch. I spontaneously decide to visit the exhibition at the International Antarctic Centre. Here, the exploration of the Antarctic is explained up to the present day. Visitors can see penguins, experience a simulated snowstorm, and ride a Hägglund vehicle through an obstacle course. These tracked vehicles, originally developed for the Swedish army, are an important means of transportation in Antarctica.