Akaroa

Confession:  When we have a day off we are in a very great place to be tourists.  April 25th is ANZAC Day, New Zealand's version of Veteran's Day.  When there is a National holiday we are required to close the Institute building (A of F 12).  We took the opportunity to drive 80 minutes to a French village of Akaroa.  The land formation is called Banks Pennisula, (hope you look all this up on Google Earth). It was formed by a 12 million year old volcano, one theory is the last eruption was similiar to Mt. Saint Helen's and had a sideways blowout and let in the sea.  While we were there we took a two hour tour of the habour and saw Hector Dolphins that are only four feet long and weigh about 120 lbs.  We also saw a white-flippered penguin, the smallest and rarest penguin in the world.  They weight approximately one pound.  The New Zealand Fur Seals were plentiful.  Their fur is so dense that in just one square inch there is enough fur to cover a small dog.  The weather was perfect and our sunhats and sunscreen worked splendid!

Tourists with name badges...

Beautiful Bay

Old Maori village

These sea birds are drying their wings after diving 100 yards deep into the ocean

View of Pacific Ocean

The seals against the volcanic rock.  Notice the layers of lava.

Seals are very awkward on land

Sea Cave

That little black spot is a penguin, remember he only weighs only one pound

This seal never did wake up

Lighthouse that was removed from mouth of bay, replaced by automated one.

Little River Giant Pumpkin Festival

One kid inside each bubble running around and they stay completely dry.  Notice the big zipper to get them in and out.