Day 18- Sidetrip to Akaroa

As we were unable to make the trip yesterday to Akaroa (a french village out at the end of the Banks Peninsula) despite the poor weather today, we headed there anyway. NZ Frenzy had said not to go there if the weather was bad, or the cruise ship in. But everyone had said how wonderful it was, so we decided to go anyway. However, no one had told us of the scenic route out there, so we headed the way Garmin took us, out the highway.

Heading out for the day

We caught up with two other Morgans when stopping for coffee in Little River and followed them out to Akaroa.

Little River Cafe

Approaching the coast

We had high hopes the weather would clear up, but unfortunately as the day progressed, the weather deteriorated. 

Approach to Akaroa

There is a french feel to the little village, but since no cruise ship was in, it was a very quiet village. 

We walked around town and into the French store, where we said "I can buy that in France" for less..

Vivian and Joan 

Walking along the sea front

As there is a "world famous" Fish and Chips cafe here, we all stopped for lunch. The fish of the day was Orange Roughy. I ordinarily do not like Fish and Chips, but these really were amazing. Absolutely fresh fish and a very light batter.  The portions were huge. 

Elaine and Phil 

Fiona, Vivian and Richard eating 

Janet, Fiona and Vivian

The serving of Fish and Chips

Janet and Fiona

Upon returning to our car, we found Pam and Alan sitting in their Morgan eating their light lunch. When we left, they were chatting to a local about cars. 

Pam and Alan

Overlooking the Bay

There is a tourist route around the volcano that surrounds the bay and town, which we had postponed taking when we were driving into  Akaroa, so we all decided to take it on the way back to Christchurch.  It was very foggy for the first 3/4 of it, but we did manage to get a few photos when we came out of the fog. 

View from around the volcano

More views

Views YESTERDAY by Dave

As we now knew about the other scenic route through the tunnel, we decided to take that route back to the hotel. As we approached the most scenic part, the road was "closed for construction". We had also been searching for a petrol station, as we were desperately in need of fuel, so the detour was not much appreciated. We did however successfully make it to the station in time.
The laundry needed doing and we were pretty full from lunch, so we skipped looking for any group outings for dinner and ordered room service. 
We were pretty excited when we saw the size of the bowl of French Onion Soup, but upon removing the cover, found it to be just a few bites. We also had a small side salad.  The cost NZ $40. Not an inexpensive place to visit.

To bed early as we have a long drive to Mt. Cook tomorrow.

Day 17- Visiting Christchurch

The day started off with the discovery that the noise that was being made in the tire last night was indeed resulting in a FLAT TIRE, but only on one side, so Philip said. 

Flat tire "on one side"

Fiona and Janet at Breakfast

A group was going to Akaroa for the day, but we had to get the tire fixed. 

The group that went to Akaroa

Susan and Richard heading to Akaroa

We did go the next day, but the weather was not beautiful as it was this day. 

Philip working on changing the flat

In order to get the spare tire off, the luggage rack had to be removed. Fortunately Richard had the proper tools for this to be accomplished, and we have it on our list to find our own socket set so we can change a spare without others around. Philip called around and went to visit a Tyre shop, who patched the hole caused by a wallboard screw that we probably picked up in the parking lot of the restaurant where we ate last evening. They had remodeled the building. 

Additionally I had a nail appointment, so had to complete that before we could venture out to the city.

My lunch at McDonalds- Chicken wrap and custard pie

We knew this would be a sad day as we went to visit the Central Business District in Christchurch which had been so terribly damaged by two big earthquakes in September 2010 and February 2011, followed by one in December 2011. No lives were lost in the first quake, but 185 people died in the February quake. 

Sept 4, 2011

Feb 22, 2011 Quake

The ground sunk

Progress seems to have been slow in reconstruction, and even in removal of existing totally damaged buildings. Not having been to Christchurch before, it is hard to imagine it a busy city.

Construction everywhere. 

We took the Blue Bus down to the Pallet Pavilion where we started our walk. Everything right now is temporary pending decisions and rebuilding, so there are a lot of creative approaches to making the city usable again.

Removable arches at Pallet Pavilion

These arches can be moved and used to create covered or uncovered structures. I am not sure how they are used other than as an entrance to the Pallet Pavilion, but the description is as mentioned. 

Cafe tables at Pallet Pavilion

Cafe at Pallet Pavilion

We walked around the city and then went to the Quake City Exhibition which was very informative, but very sad. A cab back to the hotel completed the afternoon. 

Captain Cook in Victoria Park

Big saggy building boarded up. 

Philip at the River Avon

Another closed damaged building

185 Empty Chairs  Memorial

A photo in the museum 

Cathedral 

The Chalice outside the Cathedral

Temporary Replacement "Cardboard Cathedral"

Stained Glass in the Cathedral and the cardboard tubes

Decorations on the chain link fencing

RESTART- the temporary shopping center

Made of containers

The tram is limited operational now

Dinner was tapas at a South American Fusion restaurant with Michael and Patsy, Susan and Richard, and Dave. The service was very slow, so we didn't get back to the hotel until quite late. 

Day 11-Republic of Whangamomona for Lunch on the Forgotten Highway

It was a beautiful day when we left Chateau Tongariro for Hawera, although a bit coolish outside. The scheduled drive is about 150 miles with some on gravel  and winding roads of the Forgotten Highway. 

Again we left alone, with little knowledge of the days route plan. 

Not long after leaving, we headed toward the Forgotten Highway and approached a Lavender Farm.  We debated stopping there, but we were way behind everyone else, and it was too early for a coffee break. 

Lavender Farm

We later learned that everyone else stopped there, and we had driven by and gotten ahead of them all. I was so sad that we just didn't stop anyway, as I love lavender. There is another Lavender Farm on Day 36, so we will be sure to stop there, no matter what. 

Photo by Michael

Photo by Michael or Dave

Photo by Dave

IOne question we had been asking was "do sheep and cows graze together?" Apparently the answer is "yes".

Yes, Cows and Sheep Graze Together.

We soon reached the gravel portion od the Forgotten Wold Highway, and found the surface to be not nearly as bad as we had anticipated.

Forgotten Highway Gravel Road

One Lane Tunnel

Lunch Stop at Whanganomona Hotel

We arrived about noon time at Whanganomona Hotel to find only three other couples had arrived. As it was close to lunchtime, we ordered a very delicious sandwich. 

All the other Morgan's Arrive

As we were about to leave, the big group arrived….

Lunch Stop 

When we were driving up the road, the shepherd was gathering his flock to move them down the highway IN FRONT OF DAVID.

Moving Sheep by Dave

Eventually we arrived at the Kerry Lane Motel where the horses and pig pens were in the middle of the property

Motel

Kerry Lane Hotel in Hawera

Dinner was Kentucky Fried Chicken with coleslaw,  mashed potatoes and gravy with our guests Michael and Patsy.