Leaving Kaikoura behind us we set out for a place that holds great memories for us, Akaroa. Our last stop here was on a mystery weekend tour in 2004, and we had a blast, so it is definitely a highlight of this tour.
Heading south in fine weather, we were in pretty good spirits. The route to Akaroa took us down the coast to Christchurch, then out onto the Banks Peninsula on a very challenging road for motorcyclists. The 3.5 hour ride saw us in some extremely technical roads, which were good fun for the most part. We did encounter our first complete idiots on the road since leaving Auckland, but apart from that found the ride quite good but nothing like the last few days have been. The view from the top of the hill before descending into Akaroa though deserves special mention, it is breathtaking.
The wind chill down here is something you definitely notice, so I was glad I had put the inner linings of my gear back in for the ride. Myra and I are both getting better at the longer stints, and we managed to make it all the way to Christchurch without a stop. We pulled up and parked in the central city and found a lovely café for our lunch called Café Bleu. We had skipped breakfast so with the hunger we’d built and the blue lips Myra had managed to work up it was a damn fine hour we spent in that café by the fire watching the cricket and eating a fantastic couple of meals.
After the blood was circulating again and we’d sated our appetite, it was out to Akaroa. It’s been four years now since we were last here but the place looks exactly the same. This is a tiny slice of paradise, unknown to many, and I think they like it that way. The town is immaculate, its French heritage displayed proudly. The bay glistens and the yachts moored here are all from a movie scene. We love it.
We spent Friday night in utter joy at the thought that the next day was a non riding day. We watched the end of the cricket sipping Corona, then went to La Hotel next to our room, which is the same place we dined last time we were here. I had a completely decadent pork belly, and had a chuckle with the owner as we discussed the last time we were here. It was great he remembered, we had quite an impromptu party that night after hours with whiskey and tequilas after the place closed, and it was a laugh to reminisce. A bottle of wine disappeared almost criminally quickly with our meal, and then it was back to the Village Inn Apartments where we are staying for some nightcaps and to watch a movie on the laptop. All in all, a great wind down after several days of riding.
Today was spent just relaxing, and getting ready for the next two days. We went for a stroll through Akaroa, through the city streets past several memorial buildings, and then up to the lighthouse to try and retake the same photo we took when here last. After that we spent some time in the local graveyard of all things, which is superbly kept and a wonderful resting place for the deceased.
Myra cooked us a wonderful meal tonight and we are heading to bed early. Tomorrow sees us take our longest leg of the tour down to Dunedin, were we are booked in the Top Ten. This trip will take about 6 hours riding time, which we know will be very uncomfortable. I think we have worked out 3 hours is a good day, anything after that starts to become tedious, so 6 will be a very long day. The weather is also forecast for rain and maybe even some thunderstorms, so we know we’re in for a tough time. We’re adamant that we want to reach Bluff for New Years though, and that’s what we’re going to do.
So Akaroa was again a sweet friend to us, and we will miss it. I see us coming here again in our near future; it really is a beautiful place to be. Scarfie town tomorrow, although we’ll probably be too tired to care!
