March 27, 2014. Solstice, Akaroa. A Home With a View.

Akaroa would be a perfect place to live for a couple of months to escape the northern winter. It is a beautiful little town, big enough to be interesting but small enough to be comfortable. In addition, it is only 90 minutes drive from Christchurch. The hills rise straight from the water. The harbor is long and narrow so our ship anchored in the center and the tenders took folks to shore. The harbor is totally protected as is Wellington. Every home has a view. There would be no reason to mention it in advertising because every home you see looks out at the water, with one home after another taking top spot on my list. Farms cover the high hills, with sheep on every slope. Also, in New Zealand, you see fences everywhere, right to the tip of the high hills. One thing you do not see in New Zealand are big barns, such as we have in Pennsylvania. The climate is moderate enough that the farm animals never need cover. You see shearing barns but no large barns for animals. It makes the look of the farms totally different. Actually, New Zealand is one big farm, all individual but all connected. The scenery is delightful, especially in the harbor of Akaroa.