On Thursday, the ship docked in Akaroa, about 30 miles out of Christchurch, because of prior years’ earthquake damage. Our Holland American excursion departed at 9 am, so we had breakfast at the Lido buffet. We toured The Scenic Peninsula and the Giant's House ($149.95 US). We tendered in to the dock, and the bus was again just about full, with the driver and tour guide.
First, we stopped at Barry's Bay Cheese for a sample – saw some NZ cows, and how they make cheese. The country side is very scenic.
Then we went on the bus down some steep hills to arrive at the Okains Bay Maori Museum, done up like an old village. The museum was in the middle of nowhere, but again, such scenic countryside. Old stuff galore…..
Then we went to the Giant’s house in Akaroa, a bed and breakfast run by a local artist - no pictures allowed in the house or of the artist, and quite the driveway to climb. The artist breaks up ceramic tile, and does animals, statues of people - the garden is terraced and is full of wonderful mosaic sculptures.
Then back on the bus to the dock (Tip $5 NZ) – we had lunch at a restaurant right besides the wharf - cheese pizza and a local ale ($22 NZ). A little shopping and then took the tender back to the ship.
The tour lasted 4.5 hours, and we found it quite expensive. The main event for the Tour was the Giant’s House, and we could easily have taken a cab from the dock to it, as it was right in Akaroa, and paid the $20 entrance fee, but I think another cruiser was turned away because she did not have the excursion badge, so maybe it is open only for excursions.
For dinner, I had bean soup, rack of lamb, and for dessert, lemon trifle.
