First Road Trip...

Destination: Akaroa on the Banks Peninsula.

Birdlings Flat

Semi-precious stones among the grey river stone

First up, looking for agate, and semi precious rocks like jasper, at Birdlings Flat (a beach just between Lake Ellesmere and the Pacific Ocean that is nothing BUT rocks). Then tea time at Little River to warm up after a fine but frosty morning.

A view from the Hilltop

Up a curvy hill to a spectacular view (albeit a little low cloud) out across Barry's Bay and Robinson's Bay to Akaroa.

Swift Crane on Lava Rock

Crab

anemone

We stopped next at Onawe Pa Historic Reserve for lunch with beautiful views of the bays and lava rocks.  Of course we had to take a little time to explore and check out the little chitin, limpet, snails, sea anemone, and fiddler crabs.

A Tui in midsong

View of Akaroa Harbor

Dr. H attempts to tell us about the Tui after a very loud fire station siren went off in the park where we were gathered 

In the afternoon we went out in Akaroa in search of Tuis.  Tuis were no longer found on the Banks Peninsula after 1980s because of habitat loss.  They were reintroduced in the last few years into Hinewai Preserve, and much to the delight of locals, have established themselves.  We were so lucky to see many after just a few minutes of looking for them!

By the Harbor in Akaroa

There rest of the afternoon was spent enjoying the views of Akaroa, snooping around in the shops, and getting settled in to the backpackers.

Tomorrow, we get to go to Hinewai!

Sweet Dreams Everyone, Meryl : )