R. Doug Wicker's Blog, page 82

To My Fellow Veterans this Veterans Day — Thank You!

Circumnavigating New Zealand — Christchurch; Exploring City Mall (Cashel St.)

Bridge of Remembrance archway

You might think that with well over two dozen choices that we made Riverside Market our lunchtime venue. Alas, we did not. The sit-down restaurants with available tables did not appeal to us, and the common area tables at which one could dine from a stall were uniformly occupied. We would be heading elsewhere, it seemed.

Riverside Market

So, we exited Riverside Market, upon which I stumbled across this classic Morris Minor panel van:

Morris Minor panel v...

Circumnavigating New Zealand — Christchurch and the Cardboard Cathedral

The Cardboard Cathedral

We returned to Akaroa on 9 March 2020, this time aboard Radiance of the Seas. But we wouldn’t be in town long. Definitely not long enough to hit Murphy’s on the Corner for those fantastic fish and chips, unfortunately:

Best fish and chips EVER ! ! !

But that’s okay. We’ll hit Murphy’s again next time. Instead today we’re headed by tour bus to Christchurch. Today we’ll be spending much of our time visiting the Cardboard Cathedral (more on that in a moment), but be...

Circumnavigating New Zealand — Christchurch and the Carboard Cathedral

The Cardboard Cathedral

We returned to Akaroa on 9 March 2020, this time aboard Radiance of the Seas. But we wouldn’t be in town long. Definitely not long enough to hit Murphy’s on the Corner for those fantastic fish and chips, unfortunately:

Best fish and chips EVER ! ! !

But that’s okay. We’ll hit Murphy’s again next time. Instead today we’re headed by tour bus to Christchurch. Today we’ll be spending much of our time visiting the Cardboard Cathedral (more on that in a moment), but be...

Fun Photo Friday — Circumnavigating New Zealand; Akaroa Favorites 2

When Harry Met Sally — a pair of little shags

This week and last we visited Akaroa, New Zealand (Majestic Princess 2019). Next week we return (Radiance of the Seas 2020), but we’ll be leaving town for a visit to Christchurch during a drizzly and overcast day. Until then, here’s a last look at the charming little town of Akaroa:

Shutters



Dingy Dinghy



Biking on the Pier

Circumnavigating New Zealand — Akaroa; Looking around town

Overlooking Akaroa Harbour

Akaroa is located on the roughly circular Banks Peninsula. Most of the photos shown this week were taken on our visit in 2019, but the shot above if from our return visit in 2020. On a road trip we went to Christchurch, and the view above was taken high above Akaroa Harbour. But let’s head back into town for the rest of today and this week’s Fun Photo Friday:

Rue Jolie near Walnut Place

We viewed some of the charming and colorful building of Akaroa on Monday’s...

Circumnavigating New Zealand — Akaroa; Neat buildings abound

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A Victorian Lady

Walking around Akaroa you’ll find a lot of little architectural gems. Next to the dock into which we tendered, for instance, is this rather nifty lighthouse:

Akaroa Lighthouse

Remember that wonderful serving of Murphy’s on the Corner fish and chips I told you about last Wednesday (see: Best Fish and Chips Ever)? Murphy’s is on the corner of Church Street and Rue Jolie. If you’re walking to Murphy’s southeast via Church Street you’ll find several ...

Fun Photo Friday — Circumnavigating New Zealand; Akaroa Favorites 1

Main Wharf

Today’s Fun Photo Friday favorites of Akaroa:

Fire & Ice

Wash ‘N’ Wear

Shutters

Circumnavigating New Zealand — Akaroa; Best Fish and Chips ever at Murphy’s on the Corner

Akaroa, New Zealand

Ursula had heard that Akaroa is the place to go for fish and chips, and we read up on several recommendations. Alas, we did not go with those, but instead found a place on our own. If we had taken the most recommended place we would have wound up eating lunch at Bully Hayes:

Bully Hayes Restaurant & Bar

But a quick look at the offerings on the plates served outside left us yearning for a place we found on our own about half an hour earlier, when we stopped at the Coronation L...

Circumnavigating New Zealand — Tendering into Akaroa

Majestic Princess anchored off Akaroa

On 13 March 2019 Majestic Princess arrived into Akaroa. We would return there aboard Monarch of the Seas on 10 March 2020, but on that trip we traveled to Christchurch. So, this week and next we’ll talk a photographic stroll around this beautiful, charming little fishing village, and the week after we’ll take in the sights around Christchurch.

Akaroa from above

Since Akaroa is a shallow port, Majestic Princess anchored offshore and we tendered to th...