For right now, some photos from three days ago when we caught a shuttle down to the Banks Peninsula. Our destination was the vacation village of Akaroa, about an hour and a half outside of Christchurch. The village was founded by French settlers, and it works to retain some of that influence. For a very touristy place, it's remarkably charming, and we were glad to have gone.
Truthfully, another grey day in Christchurch was not what we wanted even if it is a pleasant city. New Zealand, we already think, is better enjoyed in the small towns, rural locales, and countryside.The shuttle had some aspects of a guided tour: a few stops with some commentary. First up was the beach at Birdling Flats. Not safe for swimming, but oh what a stretch of flat round stones. Ever skipped stones as a child? I loved doing so, and it killed me seeing all these perfect candidates and no calm body of water to skip them over.
The bus then wound up over the volcanic ridges of the peninsula and down into the harbour area. The views were lovely, of course.
We spent a handful of hours in the village, poking in the shops, taking photos, and having a very leisurely lunch (on a patio overlooking the village green - despite the clouds, we both got a burn) of salmon salad nicoise, white wine, coffee, and dessert slices.
Late afternoon came, and we were back on the shuttle, listening to two tweeners, a boy in school uniform and a girl, getting to know each other. Courtship. Very cute.
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