14th May Wednesday Akaroa

Akaroa was important to NZ. A French whaler found this place in 1838 and negotiated with a local Maori to buy the peninsula. On his return to France, he formed the Nanto Bordelaise Company which organised 57 emigrants to leave on the Comte de Paris accompanied by the warship L'Áube for NZ. When they arrived at the Bay of Island (North Island), he was told of the Treaty of Waitangi and consequently the British Sovereignty over NZ. It was because of the fear of being a French Colony, the local invited the British to colonised NZ. The British sent a warship to raise the Union Jack at Akaroa. Some French settlers remained at Akaroa and joined by a large group of British colonists in 1850. The British beat the French by 4 days in colonised NZ. Some of the street names are in French and the Union Jack still stands.

We took a harbour cruise and saw Hector's dolphins,

fur seals and, white flippered blue penguins.

It was a quick way down to the town from the campsite, but it was hard getting back. The hill was so steep, we had to talk several rest along the way. At least it was sunny.