Link to Jess’ pictures

I’ve finally got my pictures all uploaded and titled.  Click on the link below to view and then click ‘View Slideshow’.  Enjoy!!! 

 http://www.kodakgallery.com/ShareLandingSignin.jsp?Uc=9tgsq4g.856vj018&Uy=-yqu629&Upost_signin=Slideshow.jsp%3Fmode%3Dfromshare&Ux=0

Food experiences in New Zealand

As promised, we have a few pictures of our cuisine experiences as requested from Jonathan’s sister, Meghan.

A few differences in New Zealand: meat pies were found in a lot of cafes, minced meat, lamb and mint, steak and cheese–what we would call “pot pie.” Lamb was a common meal, as were several types of fish (Dory was one we really liked), as well as the ever pervasive “fish and chips.” Venison and mussels were also found in many places. Honey was a common breakfast ingredient for pancakes, and it was gooood, fresh honey. Muesli was a common breakfast item. The bacon was like canadian bacon. There was not much prok to be found (not that we were looking for it).

New Zealand is a very agricultual country, and the cheeses, fruits and vegetables were amazing. Avocados and kiwis were delicious, andprominent in the cuisine. A few nights we made grilled cheese and avocado at the holiday parks with New Zeaqland goat’s cheese and ripe avocadoes. Yum!

Burgers are slightly different, but if you get one in a decent place they are pretty tasty. Beet root is a common topping for burgers. Mayo is common for fries (chips or wedges), as well as ketchup.
Sodas were similar, although Coke was more prominent. Glass bottles were not uncommon, and there was a non-US addition: L&P (Lemon & Perroa), which was a lemon limey drink Jonathan had quite a few times. It had a “sprinkle of magic” in it. (?) They also had flavored milks in a lot of the gas stations and cafes (lime was one…not so great according to Jonathan).

Beer was okay…their “Budweiser” was called “Lion Red.” We stuck strictly to the NZ beers while we were there, and found a lot were average and a few that were pretty good: Mac’s Great White and Monteith’s Honey Summer Ale. We tried wine on our last night (even though Jess has had an allergy in the past) and were OK! The wines were great…of course, the region we were in at the time was known for its wine, and is compared to Califronia’s Napa Valley. New Zealand has really started to become known for its wines.

Breakfast in Waitomo – homemade muesli and crepes with bananas

Dinner at Workmen’s cafe in Matamata

Breakfast in Matamata – Eggs with minced lamb and Pancakes, bacon and honey

Jess had fried calamari for lunch at the Mudbrick on Waiheke Island

Jonathan had the kangaroo at the Mudbrick

Breakfast at Owhanake Bay Estate included organic egg omelettes, roasted tomatoes and mushrooms, bacon, homemade toasted muesli, toast and an assorted collection of homemade and organic jams and honey

Below: Jess and Jonathan having their last dinner in New Zealand at Cable Bay Vineyards restaurant on Waiheke Island outside of Auckland. Jonathan and Jess both had the lamb rump on white bean puree.

Our last day – Feb. 17, 2007

Well, it is our last day and we are very sad to leave. We had our last NZ beer at the airport before our 24 hour journey back home (where we heard there was alot of ice and cold!).   Jonathan has also acquired a sort of  Kiwi Tourette’s syndrome where he randomly blurts out things like “Beet Root”, “Cheers Mate”, “I can’t hear what yer sayin mate”.

By far, the best vacation ever had by the both of us. We will definitely be back to explore more of this wonderful part of the world.  Wonderful not only with its scenery but with the people as well.  The people truly respect their land and the people living on it.  This is a place where beauty, nature, respect, and vision are rewarded not money and power.

For anyone considering going to NZ, you can do it for a reasonable price if you use a campervan. This is the method used by most traveling to NZ and allows you to stay as long as you want in one place or leave in a hurry. There are holiday parks everywhere and they have showers, kithchens, internet and some have even more like pools and trampolines. We found out rather quickly that the “Top 10 Holiday Park” franchise was the best to use. Consistently clean and modern.

We hope you have enjoyed the posts! Cheers, mate!

Waiheke Island – Feb. 16, 2007

We drove further north just outside of Auckland to pick up a vehicular ferry at 11:30 to Waiheke Island. It is compared to the US’s Martha’s Vineyard. We took the 45 minute scenic ferry ride out to the island and had lunch at the famous (locally anyways) Mudbrick Cafe. Jonathan had Kangaroo (awl…) and Jess had pan-fried calamari. Pretty decent.

Afterwards, we walked around the village of Oneroa and checked out the shops. Then we headed for our last night’s stay at the Owhanake Bay Estate. A couple (Mike and Kristy) own this estate along with their 3 yr old son and 9 mo. old daughter. Mike was a lawyer for a decade and then went into business for himself where he sold all of his business assets to buy this estate. Now they have a small vineyard (@ 1000 vines) of Pinot Gris & Syrah and an olive grove (@ 70 trees) and rent out a very nice room to travelers like us! Awesome family with an ideal lifestyle. They have been there about 7 yrs and plan to get a full vegetable garden planted so they can be self-sufficent. For now, they only sell their wine from the estate but are thinking of branching out. We bought a couple bottles to enjoy. If ever in New Zealand, we recommend this place.

They recommended a new restaurant to us called Cable Bay. Mike drove us out there so that we could enjoy a few drinks. Very shi-shi kind of place but delicious food and awesome sunset. Jonathan tested out Cable Bay’s Five Hills red wine and Jess tried their Pinot Noir (tried despite allergy – seems that the allergy pertains only to cheap $2 blush wine…go figure!). What an experience along with the lamb…..YUM!

We got to sleep pretty early that night and woke early to go for a walk along the bay. Afterwards, Mike brought out a nice, organic breakfast to enjoy on our deck. We got packed up and toured the vineyard for a last look then headed back to the ferry for the airport.

This island is renowned for it wine and olive oil. There are about 50 vineyards on this 52 square mile island!

Hobbiton Film set – Matamata – Feb. 15, 2007

We left the cockpit for a 2 hour drive north to Matamata – home of the Hobbiton film set. We met with the tour group at the Matamata iSite (visitors center) and shuffled onto the shuttle for a 20 minute drive to the Alexander sheep farm where the set was located. Both of us were very excited about this tour, but Jonathan was REALLY excited. Our tour guide was very pleasant and you could tell that she was a fellow LOTR geek which enlivened the tour even more.

On our way to the farm, we got the rundown on the local area – known for Dairy farming and race horse breeding. Then we got the scoop on how the Alexanders’ farm was chosen for Hobbiton. The site was chosen primarily for one tree: a beautiful round pine tree whose shape was very uncommon. The tree (the Party Tree in LOTR)–which was right by a pond–was the only distinguishing feature, as the farm itself, while beautiful, was just like any other sheep farm in New Zealand. The tree got special treatment every day in the form of watering an minerals, as there was a drought during filming.

The tour took about an hour and we were there during the late afternoon which lit the area up nicely. The hobbit holes were remnants of their former selves, and under the Alexanders’ agreement with New Line, cannot be reconstructed to look like the movie. It was still cool, though…the rolling landscapes alone were a sight to behold. We had the opportunity to go inside Bag End, which was the only hobbit hole you could actually walk inside. The rest had about 1-2 feet of room, and would only be shot as the hobbit walked into the door…then–CUT to the next scene!

There was quite a bit filmed at the location, but you would not believe what they did to complete this movie. They reassembled a tree from elsewhere (26 tons) over bag end, sewed fake leaves to trees, all to keep accurate for a few lines in the book. Say what you will about Peter Jackson, but the man put a lot of thought and time into keeping the little details. Jonathan thinks he did a great job–Jess is actually excited to watch the movies now!

Afterwards, we ate at the recommended Workmen’s Cafe where Jess had veggie (pronounced “vee-jee”) fritters and Jonathan had steak eye on a bed of the creamiest potatoes. DELICIOUS! Everything in New Zealand is so fresh you can hardly go wrong unless you enter a McDonald’s (which of course we did NOT do).

We stayed at the Opal Hot Springs Holiday Park in Matamata, and arose early the next morning for breakfast at a local cafe before heading off to our last destination…Waiheke Island.

The Lost World – Waitomo Caves – Feb. 14, 2007

Happy Valentine’s Day! For our first Valentine’s day as a married couple we woke up in the tail of the airplane (in a much deserved “real” bed). We drove out to see a Natural Bridge and Marakopa Falls–both stunning.

At 2:30 we left on our trip to the Lost World Caves, where we abseiled 100 meters (not feet–meters!) into a cave. It was a little nervewracking but extremely fun. Jess was scared at first but conquered her fears quickly as we began our descent. We had a small group; 4 of us, led by our guide Iain, and a British couple, Ian and Allison.

We saw the river that flowed through the cavern, with a huge eel named Eugene camping out in it. We scrambled over rocks and climbed narrow paths along cave walls. We sat in a cozy alcove, turned off our headlamps, and observed the glowworms on the roof of the cave.

Next we scrambled over more rocks and began an 82-foot ascent on a ladder to the top.

We made our way to the top and hiked back to the shed where we began our trip. What a day! That night we stayed in the cockpit of the airplane at Woodlyn Park.

The Tongariro Crossing – Feb. 13, 2007

We got into Tongariro National Park on the 12th to find the holiday park was closed and not taking any more bookings for the evening. We called the after hours number and they told us if we could find a site, to use it. We did, luckily enough. We had some dinner at a (very) local pub and arose early the next morning (5am) to get ready to catch our shuttle to the trail head. We drove to Ketatahi Car Park (the finish of the trail) and parked, and were picked up by Tongariro Crossing Shuttles. Half an hour later, we were at the trail head, preparing to hike the 17-km trail which would take us past Mount Ngaurohoe (aka Mount Doom!)

It was freezing cold outside…there was frost on the ground. Weird for this time of year here. We entered the trail, and soon were in the unforgiving hills of Mordor! The sites were amazing…we saw Mount Ruapehu, Mount Ngaurohoe, Mount Tongariro, and far in the distance, Mount Taranaki, which dominated its horizon.

The sites were amazing and the trail was extremely challenging and rocky (but extremely rewarding). Now we know why hobbits have wide feet.

We saw the Red Crater, Central Crater, the Emerald Lakes (awe-inspiring…so clear and colorful), and Crystal Lake. Descending the trail we had a view of lakes, the ocean, Mount Manganui, Te Urewera, and much more.

By the end of the trail we were dead tired (9 hours later). We then drove on to Waitomo, where we were to go into the “Lost World” the next day. We stayed at Woodlyn Park, where we slept in the tail of an old RNZ Airforce plane (a BF170). Sweet.