Bon Accord Backpackers, 57 Rue Lavaud, Akaroa, Tel.: (03) 304 7782, $49 double (cabin) as single
Monday, March 25: Sunny throughout, warm, a few clouds in the afternoon
Bumblebee in the garden of Bon Accord
Was about the last to leave this morning around 10:00 – everyone else had to go to work. Checked the net and decided to head directly for Akaroa; with only a stop at a petrol station to check oil and air pressure in Methven and then to refuel in Tai Tapu. Fuel tank showed full but can’t have been absolutely topped up because that would mean that I’d done the last 500 km @ less than 5 L/100 km; and in any case the fuel level dropped significantly as I drove towards Akaroa. Stopped for a bit of a stroll just inside of town past the cricket ground and found my lodgings at around 12:30.
Butterfly in the garden of Bon Accord
Now it was time for an extended walk around town after lunch of two pies (!) for $4.6, out past the lighthouse, taking one panorama of the harbour (the view from the lighthouse would be better in the morning) and shooting a couple of vintage vehicles along the way. Back here had a Tiptop hokey-pokey for $3, then a ginger beer from the supermarket and am sitting in the back garden filling in the diary. Considered going in for a swim but the water is marked as a health hazard, and with the cold just barely improving, I don’t want to risk catching anything else into the bargain. Interrupted the diary to photograph some bees and a very striking butterfly, but was unable to get it with the wings open.
Plenty of the places to choose to eat from tonight, although most are rather pricey. Place was full of tourists from a cruise ship in the afternoon, so if anything it could be at least quieter when I go out. Could also try a sunset series (finally). Went out to Bully Hayes for the Akaroa salmon with gratin potato – reasonable size serving for a “light main” and reasonable value ($27.5). Then went down for the sunset series. Met a Scotsman with a G10 in the process. Sunset appeared to fizzle and was just about to pack up watching when a huge ray glided past (must have been a good 1.5 m across) and then the sky caught on fire and so had my sunset.
Started choosing 50 pictures for the facebook gallery & chatted with Anne from Paderborn.
