Akaroa, NZ, sits on a peninsula on the eastern coast of NZ. It is currently a temporary harbor/port for Christchurch. The previous port, Lyttleton, was demolished in the earthquakes. Most of the cruise ships have simply eliminated Christchurch from their itinerary. Fortunately, for us, Cunard did not. I had noted this when planning our land trip; hence, we stayed IN Christchurch on land, knowing that we would have a full day in this charming, yesteryear village.
We noted a sign indicating a noon Mass at this church....despite having to wait on the rain to stop, we made it in time. Fr. Flanahan, the pastor, was just transferred to Akaroa two months ago. He had been in Wellington for 20 years.....he is still reeling from the adjustment to small, remote village life.
The town library
Ca bouge...literal translation is "that moves".....loosely, "it's a happenin' spot"!
La boucherie....the butcher. Akaroa is the only area in NZ that was settled by the French in the mid 1800's. After the treaty between the Brits and the Maori made all people in NZ British subjects, the French were allowed to stay and, thereby, became Brits.
At the entrance to an art gallery.....loosely: "You are already our friend. Thanks in advance."
The ribbon is the French tricolor: blue, red, white
Sweet smelling lavender everywhere.....field, gardens, borders!
White picket fences in nearly every yard....quaint, charming, inviting.....a wonderful blend of French and British in New Zealand.
This one is for you, Lisa....a purple door! Maybe not Viking purple but purple.
We met a local woman from Christchurch who said she had just visited The Giant's House for the first time.....and highly recommended we do so while we are in port. It is called the giant's house because when it was first built, in 1880, a young girl exclaimed, looking up at it from the street below: "Oh, a GIANT must live there!".
As you will see, a true "artista", Josie Martin DOES live at #68!
The garden of the giant's house has been transformed from a field of weeds to this fabulous, fantastic, unbelievable work of art......it is ALL mosaic and plants, a combination of Josie's two passions, art and horticulture.
The piano is in the front yard, playing French music constantly....it is also filled with plants....and a true work of art from all sides!
This is for you, McKenzie Ethier....Josie completed 18 art residencies in Italy, USA, France, Spain, Turkey, India and China!!! She is still working on her displays, the gardens, the mosaics....after FOURTEEN,14!!!!! years, she is STILL expanding and creating.
I know I have this thing with the toilets, but this one tops them all!!!
The tank is solid copper and note the note on the top!
The graffittied walls!
Can you imagine how long it took to complete just THIS portion?
Parsley
Corn
Leeks and lettuce!
Acrobats balancing balls
The ship Isola Bella with three swimmers in the forefront!
It became evident that it was going to take a looooong time to appreciate this masterpiece....so we decided to take a break for lunch in the above tea garden...
We ate the flowers, too!
We are sitting in the above alcove, which is all mirrored mosaics, enjoying the view below...
The famous French mime, Marcel Marceau....
Each of these figures played a role in the life and career of Josie, the artist. Each is enlarged and featured below...
This is "Kitty Catch-me and the Rolling Dice".....
This is the "star", Kitty....the three little cups on her skirt each hold dice!!!
Josie, in person, checking guests in and out.....and her car!!! Josie was shy and would not pose for a picture.
And her son, Chris, also an artist. He shared some fresh lavender with us.....lives with his widowed Mom and clearly thinks she is very special. It was frustrating not to be able to "capture" this garden in its entirety....just as it has been frustrating not to be able to capture the many dramatic, compelling landscapes we have seen. Most of what we have seen has been Nature/ God's work of art....this was woman-made work of art....and quite remarkable!!!
A WWI memorial
The sculpture was the gift to Akaroa.....and note the dates!!!! Another reminder of how YOUNG this country is!
A closer view of the port as we return to the ship.
One of the nicer gift stores....Fire and Ice....also a "deli"....
I asked about this "free delivery".....they don't do hills!!!!
Same owners have this paneled, tiffany glassed camper/van.
Our last stop in Akaroa for refreshment and people watching....
Love it!!!!
