Exploring Banks Peninsula as a Tourist ; )

Map of the Tourist Drive

We woke to a WARM (high of the day was 68 degrees F), clear morning, and readied ourselves for a leisurely day along the Tourist Drive on the crater rim of the Banks Peninsula.  

Group picture with Hugh Wilson and View to Otanerito Bay from Hinewai

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 saw breathtaking views out towards Akaroa and the bays along the road we came in by on Thursday as well as beautiful views of the bays out along the Pacific Ocean side of the Peninsula.  

Checking out the Wakas (boats) at the Maori museum

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 (pounamu 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, many of our students took delight in the grounds cat, named Suki, that endeared herself to us.

Next up, lunch on the beach - beautiful and sunny with beautiful views of the Pacific.

The hills are alive with the sound of sheep...

Cows hanging out along the Tourist Drive

Views to the Pacific

900 year old Totara

After lunch, we continued along the Tourist Drive, stopping to take pictures of sheep, and cows, and turquoise water and Hobbity-looking hills...  Last stop on the tour, a 900 year old Totara tree!

Trying on sheep fleece-lined hat at the Artist Coop

Of course we also had our 3:oopm tea time and a little time to snoop in the Art Gallery and Artist Coop in Little River before heading back to Lincoln for the night with time to catch up on some laundry before our next adventures tomorrow.

Sweet Dreams All, m&m : )