Akaroa, NZ, Day 12

Heading into the long harbor at Akaroa early in the morning

At sunrise, tenders ferry the first passengers into Akaroa. This small village, with only about 600 full-time residents, was a replacement port for Lytleton where the port facilities were badly damaged by the recent earthquakes. Typically, passengers would go to Christchurch from Lytleton for the day. The two cruise ships in port at Akaroa this day created a bit of a traffic jam but it was still very pleasant with perfect weather. The first European settlers at Akaroa were French and the town still maintains a Gallic flavor; I think it's shallots.