Akaroa

This past weekend I visited the adorable port town of Akaroa with my new friends Morta and Leah. The morning started out chilly, with us standing at the bus stop in the bitter cold and rain, trying not to shiver. As we drove through the Banks Peninsula we were immensely relieved that the weather started to improve.

Akaroa is right on the coast, in a sheltered harbour, and I believe the peninsula was formed by volcanic activity so there are lots of beautiful hills in the surrounding area. The place had a very peaceful, relaxed vibe. We walked around the town admiring the old heritage buildings and wandering into some shops. Then we had a very delicious but very unhealthy lunch of traditional fish and chips. After that we went on a coastal hike, where we encountered some real New Zealand sheep! Everyone knows there are far more sheep in New Zealand than people, so it was exciting to see some up close and personal. We ended our visit overlooking the ocean, sipping hot drinks, munching on baked goods, and feeling very grateful. Ah, bliss.