I feel as if I have fallen madly in love with New Zealand. I am now besotted with the place, and for the first time since I left forty years ago, I yearn to go back. I want to buy a campervan and inch my way around the country so that I can soak up the beauty. Alas that may still be some years in the future, so for now I must say farewell to my lover.
Before we leave New Zealand here are a few of my favourite things:
Funniest moment: When we were queuing to leave the inter-island ferry an announcement was made “Would the person who left their blue pants in the bar please collect them…… You may wish to check the person standing next to you”. Everyone on board erupted in laughter.
Best dressed: Definitely the models at the Wearable Art Exhibition at Auckland Museum. I would love to create a dress from recycled materials and enter it in the competition. I’ll do it one day.
Strangest taste: Kiwi Berries. These seem to be a cross between a berry and a kiwi fruit. Small like a berry but inside it’s like a kiwi fruit. The skin is not prickly and you eat it. Just didn’t seem right somehow.
Best family day: The family barbeque at my niece’s. Next time my kids will have to be present.
Best New Zealand custom: Honesty boxes. I love that farmers leave their produce on the side of the road and you deposit money for your purchase in the honesty box. Just like we bought the eggs at the backpackers in Hanmer Springs.
Most beautiful spot: So many to choose from but I would have to say the Blue Springs, and that we shared it with great friends. Such crystal clear water and an unexpected delight.
Most prolific garden: My friend’s Auckland suburban backyard with her beehives which produced buckets of honey, plums, peaches, apples, cucumbers, and passion fruit. Unbelievable.
Best cycling: The Otago Rail Trail, I still feel proud of my accomplishment. Can’t wait to get back to do more rail trails, but I’ll be giving the mountain biking a miss.
Scariest moment: Watching the car almost disappear under water at 90 mile beach.
E noho rā
Come back and live here!!! I must say you’ve taught me something about NZ which I never knew even existed: kiwi berries. Never heard of them!
I can’t remember where we bought them but I think it was the North Island. Be careful what you wish for we could end up with our campervan parked in your driveway.