Thursday 24 March 2011 Akaroa and mail run

Kia Ora,

We caught up with Rob the rural mail carrier at 9 am, joining a British couple to ride in Rob’s van.  Clever idea, have tourists explore the outer area of the Banks Peninsula and give Rob company too, paying company.  He showed us the great vistas, the funky little homes, creative mailboxes, birdlife (including that rarest of the rare in Michigan, one ring necked pheasant), and remote bays.  Fun to watch him also chat up the other farflung residents, as the several hundred lonely souls who live on the outskirts all know Rob, and are mutually supportive when challenges arise. In rural areas, mail carriers are contracted out by the mail service.  Finished by two pm, we wandered back to our Top Ten camp ground to pack for today’s departure.  Nice dinner back in town, a stretch in fare after some more modest road meals.  Next for us: a stop at a museum then drive into Christchurch, then to the airport for afternoon flight.


We leave New Zealand today with heavy hearts even as we anticipate great experiences in Australia. It has been an amazing journey. The people, the language, the country, the food....

tee-hee

The bus we were supposed to ride in that is having some mechanical problems and parts were expected to arrive from.... Japan.

Our route

This is all of Akaroa and the black show what we saw in the van

Mailboxes

Ummmmm... a bay

Too funny

The Norfolk pin (Can't build with it, makes terrible firewood etc...)

Pigeon Bay

The color of the water here is due to continued silt draining from glacial soil

Tea time with Robin

Yummmmmm... his wife made the cake

Okains Bay which got a lot of mud due to Japan's earthquake

And it's in use!

LeBons Bay

LeBons Bay and Pacific Ocean

Mostly Christchurch holiday homes (as Robin calls them)

Headed back

Akaroa is rimmed by a volcano

Is this the place, Dave and Marta?

At Trading Places

Denying upcoming age change..noooooooo!

Denny's steak cooked to perfection

My last Bluff oysters (The town of Bluff)

Apple tart and ice-cream which we were sharing, but I think I had two bites!

Sun setting after a lovely day

Too funny!