In 1838 Captain Jean-François Langlois made a provisional purchase of land in “the greater Banks Peninsula” which contained the town now called Akaroa.  Unfortunately, from the time of his purchase, return to France to rustle enthusiasm for his idea of a naval outpost in New Zealand, and his final return with Frenchman in tow, the Maoris had sold the place several times over and his deed was no good.  Then just two years later the Treaty of Waitangi was signed which ceded the country to the British crown.  The Brits let the French hang out in Akora and still today the village has France written all over it right down to the street names.  We started by bus in Christchurch and traveled through mountain ranges to reach Akora.  Sorry that the map is difficult to read but click to enlarge.  Christchurch is up to the right of the scan code upper left.

We followed the yellow and red lines over the summits to Akaroa.  We left the driving to our trusted and skillful driver, Stuart.

With these kind of roads, you want to leave the driving to someone else and just enjoy the view.  The drop off the side of the road would surely do you in and there were no guard rails.

As we were approaching the top of the ridge he told us about a hotel on the summit that burnt down and was rebuilt in 1936.  He said he was very familiar with the hotel as he now owned it.  His daughter Elena runs it so it truly is a family business.

We settled down for a coffee and a chocolate chip cookie while attempting to absorb the view from the hilltop terrace.

We also met “Jill” whose job it is to keep down the grass.  Her companion named “Jack” passed away last year but she is still as nice as can be and has a penchant for paper bags with cookie crumbs which she immediately grasped from my hand and it was clear she was not nearly as interested in the grass meant for her gestation.

Here she is looking for more.

We disembarked our coach in Akaroa and headed to a wonderful lunch on the coast.  Wayne had salmon and I had an incredible chicken salad with four different nuts and a local honey vinaigrette.

Up next on the agenda was an “Akaroa Bay Nature Cruise”.  Sounds ridiculously touristy.  We didn’t care it was breathtaking.  We boarded a catamaran and slipped out of the harbor into the Pacific.  The scale of the topography was overwhelming.  In addition to the stunning scenery, we saw rare birds, Hector Dolphins, and New Zealand Fur Seals.

We made our way back to shore and the charming town of Akoroa with secrets hidden around every corner, flora and fauna still in bloom (with bees getting in their last bit of work), and the special flair that only “Gaiety” can bring.

 

Oh, and by the way, we found the perfect RV for next trip to New Zealand.

Tomorrow we are on to Queenstown!