June 26th - Exploring Banks Peninsula as a Tourist ; )

Saying goodby to Hugh at Hinewai.

The Hinewai Lodge in the morning

For those that tried it - a little Hugh humor at the composting loo

We woke to a frosty, clear morning and readied ourselves for a leisurely day along the Tourist Drive on the crater rim.  After tidying up the Visitor's Center at Hinewai and saying our well wishes to Hugh, we made the steep hike up to the Gatorwaka and got on the road.  Along the summit road, we say breathtaking views of Akaroa and the bays along the road we came in by on Saturday.  At times, we also felt ourselves up in the clouds as low cloud drifted across the high hills of the Banks Peninsula.

Tourist Drive of Banks Peninsula in red. We started from the east and worked our way back toward Little River and then on to Tai Tapu and then Lincoln.

View from Tourist Drive down to Akaroa Harbor.

View out toward the Pacific Ocean.

Our first stop was at Okains Bay, and the Maori and Colonial Museum.  Here we saw a significant collection of Maori artifacts from flax woven garments and eel nets to bone fishing hooks, carved boats, greenstone (paunamu or jade) weapons, a marae (sacred meeting house), and more, along with colonial artifacts including turn-of-the-century stove, sewing machine, guns, farming equipment, blacksmith tools, etc.  And, much to our delight, the caretaker at the museum that day, Ian, had a special treat for us to hold and ponder - an over 400-year-old Moa bone!  He also had a cute cat named Suki that endeared herself to us.

Anna with a Moa bone.

Suki getting good attention.

Next up, lunch on the beach - beautiful and sunny, albeit a little cold with the wind, but still beautiful views of the Pacific.

After lunch, we continued along the Tourist Drive, while Meryl headed back to Lincoln to start preparing for our Croesus Track trip on the West Coast which we will leave for in the morning chasing good weather (we hope!) for the hike.

On the road to Little Akalola Bay

Little Akalola Bay

We arrived back in Lincoln (of course after tea time at Little River Cafe) a little early so that we have time to do laundry and get ready for our big West Coast trip. And shout out to all the students too for being REALLY good sports - we arrived back at Lincoln Uni and the hot water was out on the showers?!?!  Thankfully they could still get hot water at the next dorm over and we are hoping any issues are resolved by the time we get back on Saturday from our big West Coast trip.

Sweet Dreams All, m&m : )