Akaroa is an unknown destination, in the “olden days” ships for Christchurch sailed into Lyttelton which is just over the nearest mountain, but theses days Akaroa is favoured.
We soon see why, this little fishing village, on an inlet also called Akaroa and surrounded by the most incredible volcanic remains, is an idillc holiday resort and a great place to stop off. Clearly accustomed to the tourist trade, a couple of a cruise ships are easily swallowed, both physically and financially by the area.
We’re not interested in revisiting Christchurch, having been pre-earthquake. We understand from those that did it’s amazing how the repairs are still going on, almost ten years after.
We’re heading uphill instead, carefully planned with Google Maps, although after a while we find the parks agency maps which are also helpful and give us the reassurance to extend our planned walk by about two miles.
Being volcanic, rolling hills are few and far between, here everything is extreme, so one minute it’s a gentle ridge, next a 45 degree incline. Our first section climbs 400m in about 100 minutes, the going is definitely not easy, it’s a relief to take a break at the heritage area, where potentially buses can stop as a road passes close by, although we see no-one.
Then we’re dropping through Curry Fields, which we later learn is named after the plant who’s spicy leaves are found all around. Down 100m we then rapidly ascend another 300 in less than an hour. Finally we’re at Browntop Saddle, the highest point and where we cross the ridge to catch a glimpse of sea on the other side.
We briefly drop and reascend before passing back through Purple Saddle and then it’s an easy descent back to town. Total walk is 10.8 miles in exactly five hours, with the most exceptional views and, for the first three hours, not a single orher person to be seen, even on the return we only see a handful.
We finish with a walk to the lighthouse, retired and conveniently relocated to the town from the heads it used to guard, and then catch the tender back to Noordam. Both us and Radiance of the Seas are moored well into the inlet, it’s a good fifteen minute transfer back.
Time for working on some photos, writing and generally lazing around for an hour or two before the evening starts, albeit punctuated by sailaway on the foredeck with a glass of bubbly.
We dress for dinner then head to deck two for classics (ballet music tonight haha!) and then to three to catch the first half of the tenor’s performance.
Dinner tonight is a mix of old and new. Firstly the maple bacon, a wonderful sticky concoction served hanging on racks, then chicken for Hubby and scallops for me, in both cases huge and succulent, we finish with cheese for a change.
Catching the end of the tenor, who is a local and a fabulous singer, he is really let down by the quality and restrictions imposed by the band and arrangements, some of which are highly dubious!!
Talking of dubious, the ships internet has become a complete nightmare, posting photos is virtually impossible most of the time, I have no idea why. On a separate note I haven’t resolved the stupid FaceBook problem either, so I’m afraid lots of readers are not getting any photos at all (hoorays all round I hear!)
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