Akaroa Bay, New Zealand
Hello everyone and welcome back. Todays post is the last in my travelling series! Sad times however, we are finishing it off with a bang with the stunning French peninsula. Akaroa is an extinct volcano not far from Christchurch. So on our journey from Arthur’s Pass we bypassed Christchurch and went straight to Duvauchelle, a small village located on the bay to spend our last few days before we flew home.
Akaroa
Akaroa was founded in 1840 by French settlers. It has been suggested that the French interest in New Zealand sped up Britain’s decision to annex New Zealand. By the time the rest of the French settlers arrived, the Treaty of Waitangi between the British Crown and the Maori chiefs had been signed. Akaroa has stayed very French since, which is evident in the architecture, street names and the local people’s way of life.
Swimming with Hector Dolphins
While we were there we decided to do another dolphin swim however, this time with Hector dolphins rather than Dusky dolphins. We went with the company Ecoseaker. Unfortunately the dolphins weren’t too interested in us while we were in the water because they were feeding. However, we did get to see them many times from the boat.
Hector dolphins are the worlds smallest and rarest ocean dolphin so it
was a privilege to see them, we even got to see a tiny calf! Hector dolphins are distinct thanks to their black and white almost panda like markings as well as their rounder dorsal fin. They are so cute! While on the boat trip we also saw many fur seals, birds and if you’re lucky a penguin or two!
The Giant’s house
We then headed to The Giant’s House which is also in the town of Akaroa. The Giant’s House is a fantastic house and garden decorated much in the style of Gaudi. The house is owned by a fabulous and eccentric lady named Josie who created all of the mosaic sculptures herself. It is truly beautiful and whimsical to walk around which is made even better when the sun is shining! It does cost money to go and visit ($22.50) but I would say it is worth it. There is also a beautiful cafe there and you can even stay in the house.
Other posts
So that is it for my round up on New Zealand. We were very sad to leave but, were treated to the most beautiful sunset I have ever seen. If you haven’t already please check out my other posts on: Hokitika and Pancake Rocks, Wanaka, Haast Pass and Glaciers, Queenstown and Glenorchy, Doubtful Sound, Moeraki boulders and Nugget Point, Mount Sunday, Lake Tekapo and Mount Cook, Kaikoura, Wellington, Cape Palliser, Tongarriro, Craters of the Moon, Rotorua, Hobbiton, Piha, Coromandel, Waitomo Caves and Auckland.
Lots of love, Melissa x
Video credit – Sam Gill
