Akaroa

Australia Oct 30, 2012

Today we anchored off Akaroa.  We were brought into port by tenders andreturned the same way.  We went on ashort walking tour of to and then explored on our own.  The town was initially settled by Frenchsettlers but under British rule as the Brits got wind of their intentions andbeat them to the island and planted their flag. This is a gardener’s paradise. All small cottages and homes here have lovely gardens filledflowers.  Roses seemed to be the favoritebut other flowers flourish here.  Againwe are surrounded by the volcanic mountains created thousands of yearsago.  We had a very knowledgeable guidewho informed us of the various changes occurring on the island including thelucrative whaling done here in the 1800s. Unfortunately there are not too many whales in the area at this time,but eople here are hopeful that they may come back.  We strolled around the bay and admired thescenery.  We had a difficult time gettingon wifi with our computer and my ipod. Bob’s iphone worked.  Finally Iused the library computer to send off a message.  So much for lugging my computer on shoreexcursions.