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.
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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.
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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.
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