Akaroa
With the rising sun, the Oceanic Discoverer sailed into the collapsed caldera that makes the harbor for the small town of Akaroa. A long narrow entrance leads to a beautiful round, sheltered harbor, with a number of homes and shops lining the beach on one shore. Little wind, sunny skies, and warm temperatures aided us in our exploration of this fantastic little spot. A variety of excursions and plenty of time to simply wander made for a wonderful day.
A farm visit was a special treat for many of us. After a short but scenic drive, we learned all about a modern New Zealand sheep farm and its inner workings. Murray, the pleasant owner, was incredibly knowledgeable. His sheep dog, however, stole the show. Well trained and disciplined, the dog’s ability to drive the sheep was certainly impressive.
The other highlight was the wildlife excursion out to the entrance of the harbor. Many birds were spotted including the white-flippered variety of the Little Penguin. Spotted Shags were nesting on the volcanic shelves, White-fronted Terns were plunge feeding, and Variable Oystercatchers were noisily flying about. New Zealand Fur Seals were lounging on the rocks, many with tiny, new pups.
The real stars though were the Hector’s Dolphins. A tiny little dolphin of only about four feet, they were amazing to see so close. A curious group of five repeatedly approached us as we sat still with the engine off. One mother approached with her young baby, still showing the lines of its fetal folds. Smooth seas made for glassy conditions, and the mirror-like reflections of the clouds made for epic photography.
Add to this some exercise walks, gentle strolls to the old lighthouse, fish and chips, a nice ice cream or pint of beer, and we had a superb day in this little paradise.
