Australia Part 5/ NZ2

Doesn't this look fake?

I think so, too, but it isn't.  It's Akaroa, NZ, where we decided that we would go on walk-about.  Now, just so you know, a real walk-about is usually taken alone, and can last months... but those people obviously don't have kids... so ours lasted about 3 hours... and if you ask the kids, that was about 2 1/2 hours too long...

We started this journey at the pier and walked down to the information center to get a map of the area.  When we got there, we found out that the maps were $1, which I considered money well spent... of course, you all know my tendency to get lost, and having this $1 map was sure to keep us found.  It was so cute, it was a map especially designed for people like me.. it had things on it like:  big green mailbox.... pile of rocks by picnic table... you know... the kind of map MADE for people who get lost. 

Park with 3 palm trees and memorial to men lost at sea... on the right track...

Our route is supposed to bring us to some amazing views of the water, and circle back down to town.

So we climb and climb... and just so you know, it is STEEP!

We are about 1/4 of the way up the hill and already the views are amazing.  You can see our cruise ship just over the trees.  We can't wait to get to the top!

Now, you know we can't get lost, because we have our $1 map, and two grown adults who have driven on at least 3 continents... so here we are on what appears to be a clearly marked path...

... and the views are still amazing...

but, of course we get lost, run into some sheep and a fence and have to turn around and retrace our steps back down the hill.  I want a refund!

The long march back...

Again, the pictures don't do it justice, just how steep these roads are, but this sign might give you some indication!

Last stop of the day, a little lighthouse.

and one more shot of the cruise ship and Akaroa harbor.

The next day is Wellington, the capital of NZ.  This is the capital building, which I think looks like a pool filter.

The waterfront there is really pretty and very artistic.

The TePapa museum has free admission and lots of cool things to see.  Too bad we all had sea legs and got queasy in closed spaces.  We lasted about 1 hour...

R-Man banging on  a native drum.

We have been in a few ports these past few days, and the one thing that you notice about these ports is that they all have huge yards full of lumber.  Not shipping containers, just big piles of lumber...

...all going to China.   I should have been taking pictures the whole time, but there will be a few coming up.  It is staggering to see the amount of lumber being sent.  

Next stop, Napier.

(more lumber)

More walking, this time up a hill to Bluff Hill, a scenic overlook... which you can't really see because it is cloudy and overcast. 

Luckily there was this waterfall to take a picture next to.

The beach in Napier is all made up of these pebbles and rocks.  No sand.  It is like getting a 2 hour accupressure treatment.  We aren't sure if the beach is like this naturally or if this is some sort of weird beach reclamation project, so if you know, please comment!

Another formal dinner, this time with chocolate milk...

...and escargot...

R-Man was feeling brave and went over to the captain, who he called Captain Caramel, to have his picture taken.

The cruise staff is just amazing.  Here the kids are with Sonny from the Philipines and Tatiana from Ukraine, and a big Baked Alaska.

One more post until we are home~