Akaroa, New Zealand

In March 2014 we went to New Zealand to spend a week with John’s son, Michael, and his girlfriend, Leah.

Akaroa


When we visited them in November 2013, we were on the North Island of New Zealand.

This time, we spent the week in Akaroa on the South Island, a town 1.5 hours from Christchurch.

Akaroa

Akaroa

We rented a house for the week: 7 Stanley Place.

Akaroa

It is a 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom split level house overlooking Akaroa Harbour.

Akaroa

Akaroa

Akaroa

The house is conveniently located for exploring the area and an easy 10 minute walk to the center of Akaroa.

Akaroa

On our first night, we decided to have dinner in town along the harbour.

Akaroa

Akaroa

The food was average (at best), so we decided to eat at home the rest of the week.

Akaroa

There is a butcher shop and a Four Square grocery store in town.

Akaroa

With that many cooks in the house, we ate very well the rest of the week!

Akaroa

Akaroa

Our goals for this visit were simple: catch-up on life, hike, and just be together.

Akaroa

Akaroa

Akaroa

The breathtaking views around every corner were a wonderful bonus!

Akaroa

Akaroa

Akaroa

On March 4, 2014, we were surprised with a storm that brought Gale-force winds to Akaroa.

Cyclone

We are from Florida, so cyclones (we call them hurricanes) aren’t anything new to us.

Akaroa

Like crazy Floridians, we were out playing in the rain and wind.

Akaroa

There were gusts of up to 130 kmh, so a category 1 hurricane in our terms. The whole peninsula lost power forcing most of the town’s shops to close.

Luckily we were stocked-up on food, drinks, and games.

Akaroa

Akaroa

The next day we went to town to assess the damage and see if there were any stores or restaurants open.

Akaroa

Akaroa

The Stables Bar & Cafe was the only place serving food. Their menu was limited:

Akaroa

But it was perfect! Thank you so much, Stables Cafe!

The day after a cyclone (hurricane) is always clear and beautiful.

Akaroa

And that’s exactly what we had on our last full day together.

Akaroa

We hiked the Hinewai Reserve, a privately run but publicly accessible nature reserve.

Akaroa

The famous Banks Peninsula Track passes through Hinewai Reserve.

Akaroa

It was so peaceful up there.

Akaroa

It was just us and the sheep.

Akaroa

Akaroa

We spent most of the day hiking the Hinewai Purple Peak Track.

Akaroa

HERE is some information on the area if you find yourself up that way.

Akaroa

The Purple Peak is that purple colored rock:

Akaroa

Akaroa

We didn’t walk all the way to the top:

Akaroa

But we did go as far as the shelter.

Akaroa

The view of Akaroa and the harbour is spectacular from up there!

Akaroa

It was the perfect ending to a perfect week, hurricane and all!

NZ

With heavy hearts, we had to part ways the next morning.

Akaroa

Michael and Leah went to their next WWOOFing destination:

Akaroa

And John, Kelly, and I flew to Sydney for the night.

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To see pictures from our other New Zealand adventures — Cathedral Cove, The Coromandel Peninsula, Lake Taupo, Wanaka, Tekapo, Christchurch, Queenstown, and Auckland — click HERE.

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