First Overnight Trip - Akaroa/Banks Peninsula Here We Come!

Loading up the Gatorwaka

Today we set out on our first overnight trip.  We left a day early on our tentative schedule chasing good weather in our trusty 12-seater Gatorwaka (a waka is Maori for boat and Gatorwaka it is the affectionate name for our van). Followed by the smaller van, Piwakawaka (Maori name for a fantail bird), laden with our food supplies.  Today we worked our way over to Akaroa Harbor where we will stay the night in Akaroa.  Along the way, our day was eventful...

Lake Ellesmere

Our first stop was Lake Ellesmere, the fifth largest lake in New Zealand.  It was glass smooth and there were many black swan swimming in the mid-morning sun.  The day was so clear we could see the snow on the Southern Alps far across the water.

Birdlings Flat on a near perfect day.

Since it was such a calm and warm morning, we decided to brave Birdlings Flat again under these nicer weather conditions.  We enjoyed looking at all the semi-precious stones and glacial rocks as we listened to the Pacific Ocean waves crashing along the coastline.  We also stopped by a gem museum and shop and enjoyed seeing Vince's collection of rocks (mostly from all over New Zealand).

Tea time in Little River.

Selfie at the Hill Top.

Walking up Onawe Peninsula for lunch.

We then enjoyed Tea Time at The Little River Art Gallery before heading to the Hill Top overlooking the Akaroa area bays.  Once over the hilltop, we had a taste of handcrafted cheese at Barry's Bay before eating our lunch at the Onawe Peninsula where we enjoyed beautiful views, exploring the little critters along the water's edge, and the pretty lava rocks.

Learning about Tuis with Dr. Laura Molles.

After lunch, we headed over to Akaroa for the afternoon.  We met up with Dr. Laura Mollesin a hilly neighborhood above the harbor to learn about Tui's and their reintroduction to the Banks Peninsula where they were once prevalent.  Dr. Molles helped conduct the Tui Restoration Project whereby 72 Tuis were released about nine years ago in some restored native bush (Hinewai, were we will go tomorrow).  The birds are doing well and beginning to move out across Canterbury as was hoped.  One bird was even sighted in the Mahoe Reserve in Lincoln where we planted yesterday.

Tui at a sugar water feeder outside of a home in Akaroa.

We were able to walk around the neighborhood and spot a few of the Tuis enjoying some sugar water feeders in resident's yards. Dr. Molles explained to us that the folks in the neighborhood love the Tui's that have been banded as they have named them and are able to follow where they go.

Looking out over Akaroa Harbor.

Making lunches at Chez La Mer Backpackers.

After being on our own to do a little sightseeing the rest of the afternoon, we met up at our backpackers to get settled in and make our lunches for our big hike tomorrow. Rest up for our big hike tomorrow! - Mark and Meryl  : )