What a Difference A Day Makes ........ (As the song goes!)

Jean writes:

...... Twenty four hours .....

Weather wise, anyway.

Yesterday, on arrival, cold, rainy and grey.

Today, bright, sunny, warm to hot.  Super.

We spent the morning shopping, mainly for food for our breakfasts and evening meals for today and tomorrow.  It's sad to see the city so different from when we were last here six years ago, typified by the exterior of the cathedral.  

We decided on a more cheerful experience for this afternoon and headed south east, for the Banks Peninsula and, in particular, Akaroa.

We were unprepared for our first sight of Akaroa Harbour (Akaroa means long harbour in Maori) from high up at the Hilltop Hotel.  Stunning.

We wound our way down steep slopes and hairpin bends until we came to the town, which has quite a French influence.  

I "just happened" to notice that there were harbour tours to see dolphins and was powerless to resist.  Dave kindly agreed to do other land-based activities for two hours, until I returned.  

Well, what a trip!  As you can imagine, I took three hundred photos but have, with difficulty reduced them to less than one hundred now.  

The scenery was fantastic.

Hector's Dolphins were prolific and frolicked around the boat.

Fur seals lazed on the rocks.  

As massive albatross landed right beside the boat, and numerous sea birds - various gulls, cormorants and others aplenty flew or rested on rocky outcrops.  

And as if that weren't enough, the geology was pretty good too!

The region is volcanic and the inner harbour area was originally a caldera (crater like landform, but wider) until an eruption blasted away part of the side nearest the sea , forming the present elongated harbour.  You can see the layers of lava and ash in the cliffs, the soft ash being eroded more quickly, leaving ledges perfect for seabirds to nest.

And particularly for Margaret, another example of flora - the distinctive Pohutukwa,  a type of myrtle, that has apparently become part of New Zealand's Christmas traditions.

Introducing Ken

Dave writes:

Bought our own Satnav this morning as Europcar failed to deliver yesterday.

His name, as handed down by the system, is Ken and though he had little to do today on a straightforward run to the stunning town/harbour of Akaroa he did it well so fingers crossed he does better than predecessor Jim.

More to do tomorrow as we head for Kaikoura.

The hire car is in fact quite a powerful performer though reverse gear remains a problem and Jean, with a wrist problem, can't engage it so we try to avoid any compromising situations!

With quite a lot of driving ahead we bought 3 CDs this morning - only to find the car has no player for them.

CDs obviously yesterday's man.

Christchurch re-building

I learn that Christchurch is about a quarter of a way through the huge re-build following the earthquake which claimed so many lives and buildings.

Parts of the city wear a sad look and damage can still be seen.

In fact, our current flats' accommodation is just two metres from a re-build of a structure brought down and we have exchanged friendly greetings with the work guys.

Optimism abounds and the cricket World Cup opening ceremony takes place here later this week followed by the first match on Saturday when New Zealand play Sri Lanka.

Our schedule means we must move on tomorrow though we plan a morning walk round the city centre which suffered so much.

Local hero

Commander Frank Worsley was a famed navigator from Arakoa and his bust looks over the harbour.

Worsley captained Endeavour, Shackleton's ship on the 1914-16 Antarctic expedition which became enveloped by the ice.

In the 28ft support boat he managed to sail 800 miles to the Falklands to raise the alarm.

Eventually all were rescued.