Banks Peninsula, Christchurch

Here we are on a day trip out of Christchurch to the Banks Peninsula, which was formed by 2 massive volcano eruptions a gazillion years ago. After a seriously treacherous ride in a van (and Jodi very ill in the back of it) we arrived at a beach on private land where we got to prepare and eat real live Paua.




















- First, our guide free dove off the shore to pluck them off the rocks below
- Then we "popped" them out of their amazingly beautiful shells and gutted them
- Next they are tenderized on a rock, with another rock
- Then we washed the finished product in the surf
- And finally cut them into long thin strips and through them on the barbie with garlic and onions (and they are pretty darn good if cooked properly)









AKAROA

After the fun on the beach (which included sea lions if you look closely), we headed back on the dodgy, steep and winding gravel road and headed to the only French settlement in NZ, Akaroa. A super cute little seaside town which used to be used a base for whaling in the 1800's.














After this we headed to a rural pub where we had "beer school" and learnt all about hops and grains while we sampled the material. This sampling continued on the ride back to Christchurch as our tour van was licensed for alcohol.






Well after an hours drive and a case of beer, we returned to the city at about 7pm. Needless to say it waz early to bed for us and we didn't quite make it back out on the town. There's Jodi in the back carsick as ever, being the trooper she is and taking in her share of the brew...







...oh and P.S. those white horses on the farm near the beach were in the Lord of the Rings! So we were told anyway, and no we didn't get autographs. But we did get to see the original- prototype-solid-gold-priceless ring used in the movie down in Nelson. Take that movie geeks!!

So that was Christchurch area in a nutshell, or er...paua shell. Next up, and we can't include it all (but will try), will be a medley of the Coromandel Peninsula and Waiheke Island, 2 gorgeous areas on the North Island, so please check back!!