Akaroa
The day dawned fine and calm when Oceanic Discoverer berthed in Akaroa Harbour leaving the chilly southerly wind behind in Dunedin. The Dolphin Explorer tours were fully subscribed and the guests relished the chance to see the rare Hector Dolphins riding the bow wave and occasionally, and unusually, leaping into the air, as the boat headed for the harbour entrance. The captain, who has an excellent commentary, talked to guests about the history of the marae complex, which is visible a few miles from Akaroa up the harbour, and he talked of the shag population of the harbour while taking the vessel close to their nesting sites on the rocks. We then went through the heads to the small resident New Zealand fur seal population north of the harbour. One group was lucky enough to see a little blue penguin in the water. An explanation of the other birdlife both outside and inside the harbour was also forthcoming.
Many guests chose to do the farm tour experience where they were taken over some winding roads inland and over the hills at the back of the Akaroa to a working sheep farm. There the farm owner Murray explained the workings of the farm before his daughter-in-law shore a sheep after a few of the attendees had their photos taken with the sheep sitting quietly on their rear ends, a technique for a more relaxed shearing style first developed by the famous Bowen brothers, Godfrey and Ivan back in the 1950s. Then it was outside to watch other members of the family using a mixture of voice calling and whistles to herd a small group of sheep from close to the top of a hill to the yard below—using the two types of dog for this work—heading and huntaways.
Some guests took to exploring the streets of Akaroa and its surrounding environment on their own. Some joined a history walking tour organised by local history buffs—the highlight for this author being the spotting of a couple of kereru on a non-native tree close to the centre of town. Others joined a hiking tour of the surrounding area led by Malcolm Campbell. A most enjoyable Akaroa experience was warmly appreciated by all.
