"Akaroa...have to buy here!!"

A 3 day weekend = a quick trip over to Akaroa for lunch!

Now I absolutely love, love, love this place, it is so peaceful, so tranquil & just absolutely beautiful & amazing. I love how you can go over there on a busy day & it doesn't feel busy, you can relax, sit back & enjoy everything around you.

We wondered in & out of some shops for a wee bit then headed to the Monteiths Bar "Bully Hayes" for lunch - we had Cod Burgers with fries - they were delicious. Not too badly priced either. We really enjoy going to Monteiths Bars/Restaurants - we frequent the one here in Christchurch in Avonhead. Have been to the one in Hanmer Spring a couple of times (they do a really ice garlic bread on ciabatta bread = yummy!!!)

It is so nice to be sitting by the beach & enjoying the magnificent God-created view of the Akaroa harbour.

After wondering in & out of a couple more shops - sorting scoping out for Christmas presents but not really trying - though we did find a mouse mat with a matching coaster with lovely cars on it for Simon.

Then we grabbed an ice cream & sat on the beach near this little wharf.

Simon took this cool photo from under the above picture wharf - it looks so peaceful - one could just sit under there & enjoy their current read or lie back & listen to music. 

Simon skipping stones

After our ice-cream we decided to tiki-tour round the harbour to the other side - to Wainui. You get an amazing view of the open mouth to the Pacific Ocean. Spectacular!!!

View of Akaroa from Wainui

This cute little church is situated in Gebbes Pass - a fun route from the Akaroa road to the other side, Lyttleton Harbour. We've passed it on a number of occasions but finally stopped to take a photo. I think if we hadn't of gotten married in Woodbury this may well have been the option to have used. It's so quaint nestled away in the side of the hill - nicely remote.

Simon took this photo as we headed out of the Lyttleton tunnel (which runs through the Port Hills)

It was a great day and I cannot wait to get back over there. It is such a great wee place & I do believe we will likely buy a holiday home there before we purchase land/house here in Christchurch. If we ever win lotto that would be our first purchase.