A French village in New zealand : Bienvenue à Akaroa

6 years ago I landed for the first time in Christchurch New Zealand, that's the beginning of my love story with The beautiful and magical South Island !!

Back then , I was backpacking this wonderful planet that we live on and find my way to New Zealand, small, even tiny, but full of treasures country .

I started my trip by doing some WWOOFING in a farm in Kaikoura for 3 weeks and then headed, to WWOOFF again, to this 'French' village in the South Island called Akaroa.

Being French myself, I wanted to go there to experience the French festival that happens every 2 years at the beginning of summer. My plan was to stay there 3 weeks and head to the next destination, probably Queenstown. But 6 month later... i am still in Akaroa !!
Akaroa just kept me busy and I never could leave, trekking, swimming, kayaking, cycling, dolphins and whales watching, visit the famous'Giant's house', penguins whitnessing or just hang out with the friendly locals . Sooo much to do there !!!

The place is very busy in summer with backpackers and tourists , cruise ship stop by and the town quickly becoming an ants nest when all the passengers arrive and visit this gorgeous place.

The locals were just so friendly and make Akaroa very welcoming and charming, but the magic comes surely from the sceneries. By the harbour , you can see the not-so-far-away hills with their wineries (wine tasting is also one of the great things to do there ), the sunsets are to-dream-for and the food ravishing ( French influences :) )

So If one day you find your way to New Zealand, do not forget to take a few days to enjoy Akaroa !!