Monday in Akaroa

Monday dawned cold and overcast. Regardless, we made the 1.5 hour tortuous drive out the Banks Peninsula to the town of Akaroa. Here, we boarded a two hour catamaran boat cruise out into the long harbor in hopes of catching sight of the Hector’s dolphin, a native species and, at four feet, one of the smallest dolphins in the world. We were not disappointed. Saw several including a mother and calf but didn’t manage to catch any on camera.

Also saw spotted shags, a white flippered penguin, fur seals, and sheep grazing on the incredibly steep and rocky cliffs. The captain called it a new sport: extreme grazing! Formed by a ancient volcano the harbor is mostly black rocky cliffs.

Even though we were well bundled we returned to port chilled and ready for a hot lunch before the long drive home again. Bright spot on the way home was stopping at a farm for fresh picked nectarines and peaches.