In Akaroa

Akaroa is a charming harbour with 700 inhabitants only but many visitors and week end’s land lords plus all the artists who choose to live and work here make it a busy little Arts centre. Such special place really does capture the heart !

Akaroa is a village with a definite French accent even if the Ngai Tahu Tribe already had discovered the beauty of the location a long time before Captain Cook sighted Akaroa Harbour in the 1770 ! “It is only in 1840 that the township was founded as a French colony. It remain French for 11 years and still is !!! The main street is called Rue Lavaud , the hostel “ Chez la Mer ” , the restaurant: “C’est la Vie”! And many of the original cottages are still standing where they were built which gives you a sensation of French permanence!

The deep blue sea of the harbour laps against the Warf, children still catch cod with hand lines and the Hector’s dolphins play in the bay swimming with the amazed visitors . it is such a beautiful corner of New Zealand . I am happy that Jean Mi can spend his day before last here