Okains Bay (Banks Peninsula)

After the exertions of TWALK, it was only fitting to have a relaxing weekend away on the banks peninsula. This time, instead of the usual Akaroa haunt (closed for the winter) Maaike and I decided to head to a small village?! called Okains Bay.

Now, Maaike *says* that she prefers to steer clear of Dutch people as a rule whilst in NZ… but you’d have to say it was highly co-incidental that the hostel she chose was called ‘Double Dutch’, and just happened to be run by a Dutch couple.

No pictures of the hostel, my bad, but it was very nice.. though the fact that it was all wooden floors (no shoes please) and winter… made for me wishing I had brought slippers.

Many games of Tantrix were played, and an old game I hadn’t played since I was about 12 at my grandfathers called continuo.

The most interesting part of the weekend was definitely visiting the Maori museum (and colonial). They had period houses (Okains Bay is a very early settlement.. in terms of NZ white-persons terms anyway). I did feel like such a complete and utter wuss when you see what Olde Worlde people had to do. “Grandma’s Washing Machine”.. looked savage.. basically a hand cranked modern dishwasher. Only worse.

Finally, a picture of the museum grounds, and a close-up of the entrance to the Maori Storehouse (or pātaka). Not entirely sure I’d like to go there for my shopping.