I’m on my way to meet Le Soleal in Akaroa, New Zealand, for the start of their NZ and Australian Subantarctic islands expeditions. This means a flight from Melbourne to Sydney, and a flight from Sydney to Christchurch that arrives just before midnight on Qantas.
Three flights from Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne have landed at roughly the same time, and the only baggage carousel showing a flight number is the one from Melbourne, which confuses everyone. I spot my Eastpak rolling duffel disappearing through the baggage belt exit, and head to the furthermost carousel to collect it on the return loop.
Christchurch International airport is only 12 km from the city centre, so it’s a short trip to the Novotel hotel, which is on Cathedral Square, directly in front of the Cathedral. The cathedral is still in mediation as to how or if it should be rebuilt, and the Cathedral Square still looks sad and sorry for itself 4 years after the earthquake, with the cathedral under scaffolding, and the old Millennium hotel still boarded up. It’s well after midnight now, and the shuttle bus leaves for Akaroa at 9am, so time to call it a night.
Quick breakfast at the hotel before dragging the bags down the street to the Canterbury Museum to meet the bus to Akaroa. It’s 850m from the hotel to the Museum, and no real effort with a rolling duffel and a rolling camera bag.
I’ve been to Akaroa many times, but not for at least 15 years, and never without a car, so taking the bus will be a change. Akaroa French Connection is the main bus service, leaving Christchurch at 9am from in front of the Museum. It’s $NZD25 one way, which is good value for 90 minutes with a couple of stops along the way at Little River and the Hilltop cafe overlooking Governor’s Bay.
We’re in Akaroa by 10:30, and the bus stop (one of two) is straight in front of the Akaroa Village Inn, where I’m staying. My room isn’t ready (didn’t expect it to be), so drop the bags for safekeeping and wander around Akaroa with a stop for lunch prior to checking in. The Waterfront Suites have excellent views over the harbour, with the main wharf straight in front of the hotel.
Akaroa hasn’t changed in 15 years, with the exception of the earthquake damaged post office. It’s bright and sunny, with a strong northerly in the early afternoon dying off a bit to a warm sunny afternoon. Hopefully the weather holds for dolphin watching tomorrow morning!
