Celeste & Bill Circumnavigate the globe World Cruise 2015

Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Day 43 Akaroa/Christchurch

Since the massive earthquake in 2011 the port (Lyttelton) for Christchurch has not recovered so the ships are sent to Akaroa. Christchurch is a 90 minute ride. Since we had been there in 2008 we decided to forgo that long bus ride and we did a Sheep Farm tour right in Akaroa. This town was a hidden gem. It was quite cool this am 52 degrees. Now I know those of you back east are probably cursing me right now but 52 was cold. We did wear our WC jackets and I had long sleeves on.

We were the first guests on the first tender this morning as we had an 8am tour. There were 3 vans going on this and it was another windy road up the mountain. The owner of the farm explained all about his great-grandparents down and gave us the history of the farm. Bill is in love with New Zealand and would love to move here and be a sheep farmer. Me I love New Zealand but I am not going to be a farmer’s wife at this stage of my life. The farmer whose name is John was explaining that farmers are sick people he has a degree and chose farming. He explained his least favorite part is having to clean the rears of all the sheep. He said some mornings and I get up and say “Shit” that’s what I have to deal with today! This was great because Bill turned to me and said “I’ve changed my mind” LOL. Anyway his daughter-in-law came in and sheared the sheep. First we were able to hold them and talk to them. I might never eat lamb again. After the shearing we went outside to watch the Border Collies herd the sheep in. It is amazing she gave a few commands and the dog was up the steep mountain before I got the lens cap off the camera. The sheep started running down the mountain towards us. She gave one of the other dogs a command and he started to bark and the sheep stopped in their tracks. It was impressive to say the least. Needless to say we were all frozen as it was colder up on the mtn. I should have brought my gloves and fleece. After the show we were invited into the prettiest rose garden and we were served, tea, coffee and homemade scones with homemade jam and Devonshire cream. I loved just holding the tea cup warming my hands, it tasted really good and the scones were delicious. We walked all around the property and we headed back to our vans. Down the mountain we came. when we got to the town which is walking distance to the tender another couple and us out of the 6 of us decided to stay in town and walk around. First store we went into had fleece jackets on sale so I got one and tried to warm up. The one I brought with me is actually quite big on me so this was good. We got to see a cricket game and walked all over the town. I did read where Akaroa New Zealand has blue pearls so I had to go into the shop and see for myself and they explained how they are formed and of course I had to have a souvenir so I picked a really nice one.

We thought about having lunch shoreside and when we past a Fish and Chips place and Daniel (shore excursion manager) and Josef (Hotel Director and the engineer that just got on having lunch we figured it must be a good place so we went in. Now you all know that I am not a fish person but I said what the hell when in Rome. Bill came out with a huge bundle wrapped in white paper. the fish had a thin breading on it and was the local New Zealand fish and was wonderful. I truly enjoyed it.
We headed back to the ship stopping in all the stores.

Tonight we are having dinner in Tastes which is just like the name you get a few different tastes of things and we were invited by Helen and Allan. Lovely people we met in 08 and then again in 12 who live in Princeton NJ.

After dinner we will go to the show.

Tomorrow we will be in Dunedin and we are doing a Crystal Voluntourism. Crystal does a lot for different places we go to and I decided since we are so fortunate to be able to do this trip we should give back so tomorrow we are planting trees in the Penquin Place. This is the home of the unique and endangered Yellow Eyed Penquins only found in NZ. As most of you know I just love penquins. Probably since I have had a hip problem all my life and I waddle like them. When we were in Antarctica and went to see them they were following me they thought I was their grandmother. these poor guys are dying off so they need native trees planted so this is our tour for tomorrow. I will write all about that tomorrow!

Good night and God Bless.