Akaroa French Fest 2007
Yesterday we went down to Akaroa for their annual French Fest. We were joined by our new expat friends, Larry, Raina, and little Nola. You can see the pictures, if you like.
If you'd like to know why Akaroa has an annual French Festival, you should check out this article, which gives a good brief overview of the history of the settlement.
I also found this interesting article from the NY Times about Akaroa.
I included a few pictures of the carpark in Takamatua, where we parked to take the shuttle bus, to provide a sense of proportion. There are probably about 200 cars there--and that's a generous estimate. It was a large crowd by South Island standards.
Also, you'll see there's a map with the pictures, courtesy of the NZ DOC. Christchurch proper is just off the top edge of the map (above where the map says Lyttleton). It's a very pleasant 90 minute drive.
I have to say, the area east of Little River and all the way through to Akaroa is the most beautiful of all the (few) places we've been in NZ. There's a difference in the climate in the valleys, and the area's weather seemed to be about 2 weeks or so ahead of us. It was a lush green, with the trees full of leaves and blooms, and the very much reminded me of the Shenandoah National Park and the Skyline Drive. It's not the same, but anyone who's been down the Skyline Drive on a cool summer day knows the green expanses I mean. The next time we head down to Akaroa, I'll stop along the way to get some pictures.
On a totally unrelated note, cheers to my friend, media mogul John Herman, who won $17,000 worth of home theater equipment! And special cheers to any of you who voted for him in the Makeshifters contest!
If you'd like to know why Akaroa has an annual French Festival, you should check out this article, which gives a good brief overview of the history of the settlement.
I also found this interesting article from the NY Times about Akaroa.
I included a few pictures of the carpark in Takamatua, where we parked to take the shuttle bus, to provide a sense of proportion. There are probably about 200 cars there--and that's a generous estimate. It was a large crowd by South Island standards.
Also, you'll see there's a map with the pictures, courtesy of the NZ DOC. Christchurch proper is just off the top edge of the map (above where the map says Lyttleton). It's a very pleasant 90 minute drive.
I have to say, the area east of Little River and all the way through to Akaroa is the most beautiful of all the (few) places we've been in NZ. There's a difference in the climate in the valleys, and the area's weather seemed to be about 2 weeks or so ahead of us. It was a lush green, with the trees full of leaves and blooms, and the very much reminded me of the Shenandoah National Park and the Skyline Drive. It's not the same, but anyone who's been down the Skyline Drive on a cool summer day knows the green expanses I mean. The next time we head down to Akaroa, I'll stop along the way to get some pictures.
On a totally unrelated note, cheers to my friend, media mogul John Herman, who won $17,000 worth of home theater equipment! And special cheers to any of you who voted for him in the Makeshifters contest!
posted by Jon A at
6:39 PM
1 Comments:
skyline drive! aaaah! oh, i have lovely memories of skyline drive. beautiful, beautiful. drove through on my way from charlottesville to philadelphia about two years ago.
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