This morning I thought I would like to see a bit of Akaroa before I made my way into Christchurch for my last couple of days. The main thing to do in and around the area apart from walking is going out on a boat trip around the harbour and peninsula to view the wildlife. Now, to be honest I have seen my fair share of NZ wildlife which has been really amazing so I wasn’t too hot off the mark to see this area. However, that was until I read that the area was built on an ancient volcanic area, well that was it! Somehow I managed to find myself attempting to sign up for a two hour cruise out on a boat. I went off to Akaroa Dolphins to enquire and after getting the details I went off to explore the area some more. By the time I had decided I would like to do a tour, of course it was all booked out!! I would love to think that one day when I’m even older and wiser I’m going to learn from my reluctance to book and plan ahead but so far it seems not! So in the end I ended up on a waiting list hoping that someone wouldn’t turn up.
Fortunately it seems there are people out there who have money to burn cause despite leaving credit card details with the cruise company a party of 6 never turned up, so along with another couple I was in luck. It was a lovely cruise out into the harbour which started off with a glass of wine, always nice, as we headed out. There were only 19 people on our boat where as the other cruise option carried 99 people!! I definitely got the better deal.
On our cruise we saw Hectors dolphins which are the rarest dolphin in the world. So, so far on my trip I have seen rare, endangered largest and smallest of several species, a real environmental experience!
Hectors Dolphins
Once back on dry land and before I headed off to Christchurch I made my way to a place called the Giants House where the owner has spent the last 10 years making sculptures from mosaics all over her garden and house, it is a really beautiful location, quirky and lovely whilst also giving me lots of ideas!
The Giants House
I then headed off to Christchurch, and now this really does highlight my incredible inability to book and plan ahead. For 6 weeks now I have known that I’m flying out in just two days time so any other more organised person would book accommodation ahead, right? Especially when it’s a weekend. So, finally after the 10th phone call I finally managed to get a bed for the night at a place that claims to be a 10 min walk from the city centre. When I arrived at the hostel I was amused and surprised to find myself served by a very young 11 year old girl who seemingly had it all under control. That was until I asked her where the nearest supermarket was and then she had to go and ask her mum, it was nice to see some adults were about! She certainly knew her stuff though and collected some bedding for me and showed me into what can only be described as a cattle shed, and in the middle of a city as well! I really fancied two nights in one place but I also fancied my last two night being somewhere more ME! Although I must say I do have an eight room dorm all to myself and it does seem very comfortable. I’ll see how I feel in the morning!
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