NZ 7: Akaroa Harbour
Tuesday, July 29. 2008
Akaroa Harbour, NZ (May 28, 2008)
Mayli’s meeting had different options for the conference excursion. One of them was a visit to Akaroa harbour, which we choose compelled by the description of natural beauty, and the chance of seeing some interesting wildlife.
And beauty it was. Akaroa (“long harbour” in Maori) is set between volcanic hills in the Banks peninsula, South of Christchurch. The main settlement was once called “Port Louise-Philippe”, betraying its french origins. The first settlers were in fact french, which had reached the South Island in 1840. The british, however, were already in New Zealand with their bigger gun-boats, so the french settlers were given the choice of leaving, or staying there and become british subjects. France was a long way, so they remained, and all is left now of these origins are the french names of the streets.
In Akaroa we got on a boat tour of the harbour, which was really worth, as we saw some quite unique wildlife (more on this in the next few posts), and we didn’t even get wet (you’ll understand this when I will get to tell about Milford Sound many posts ahead). Once back we shared some fish and chips with the local cats, and then got some coffee in the nearby Café. There we met a lovely waitress that turned out to be american. We asked her what she was doing there, and she said that she was embarked in a New Zealand trip but once she got in Akaroa she liked the place so much that she decided there was no point in keep traveling, and she just decided to stay there. And by looking at the calm waters and the peaceful air, that really seemed the reasonable thing to do. Who really could want to leave?
