Akaroa
Exploring New Zealand is a very diverse experience. Rich encounters await with many different focuses. Geology, marine mammals, culture, birds, and farming were all parts of our day today. Each little bit is different, and adds to this picture. Our view of life in the land of kiwi is evolving and changing everyday as our voyage progresses. Today, we also had the joy of sunny skies and hot temperatures for our exploration of Akaroa.
Situated in a old volcanic caldera on the Banks Peninsula, the charming small town of Akaroa sits in a very protected harbor. A crescent beach and walkway is a focus of the town, with the surrounding hills filled with a few holiday homes, native bush, and some farms. A strong artistic community makes for pleasant shopping, and a French ancestry for some delicious dining. The long history of sheep and farming in the area leads to a pleasant visit and adds to our knowledge of the art of handling sheep.
For me, the highlight was certainly in the entrance to the harbor. Here, wildlife was abundant. Fur seals lined the volcanic shelves along the sides, while shags nested up above. The kelp-lined shores were teeming with fish. “White-flippered” blue penguins put on quite a show, joining in with a group of terns to feed on small bait fish.
The most fascinating part of the day was the Hector’s dolphins. Tiny little dolphins, about four feet long, Hector’s are endemic to New Zealand, and quite rare. However, here on the Banks Peninsula they can be quite common. Our boats were surrounded by curious dolphins, and all were treated to fantastic looks. Our spotter dog, Murf, added to the trip by enthusiastically predicting where the dolphins would surface, helping us to understand this place and the critters who live here a bit better.
