ramblings of a Seattle travel, food and photography hound
Kiwis seem to make food displays a form of art. This was noticeable whether I was in the North or South Island. Pastries, pies, sandwiches, it didn't matter. I didn't take real notice until my family and I saw the beautiful displays at Copenhagen Bakery last year. I wasn't so much interested in the confectionary arrangements... Continue Reading →
After visiting the Sky Tower, we decided to have dinner on our way back to the hotel. While walking along Wellesley, we came across Homeworld BBQ Restaurant. The menu posted outside seemed interesting, so we ventured inside. At around 5pm, there weren't any other customers. We decided to stay and eat. The experience was good.... Continue Reading →
At 382 meters (1,076ft), it's hard not to miss Sky Tower, the tallest man-made structure in New Zealand. Today, there was a good deal on admission, so we rode the glass elevator to the observation platform, 192m straight up. The view of Auckland was breathtaking from there. The tower reminded us of the Space Needle... Continue Reading →
The receptionist at our hotel suggested that we have breakfast at Café Melba, a small but popular restaurant in a section of town called Vulcan Lane, an alleyway lined with small shops and restaurants. We walked since it wasn't too far from the hotel, thanks to good directions by the staff. We started off the... Continue Reading →
We could easily have passed by Kiwi Country, a Chinese-Malay restaurant in the basement of a building near Albert Park. Wide stairs from street level pointed us down to the front door. Once inside, we were faced with a very extensive menu on the wall with pictures to help us decide. Next to each item... Continue Reading →
You don't have to live in Italy anymore to have gelato. It seems that this dessert has taken the world by storm. As we were walking around Auckland's beautiful waterfront area, Valentino's seemed like a very popular place. There were crowds of people in the store. Never being ones to willingly forego gelato, we slipped in.... Continue Reading →
David Attenborough featured them in his BBC Planet Earth series. Arachnocampa luminosa is found only in New Zealand, more commonly called glowworms. Technically, they are not worms, but rather the larvae of gnats. To snare food, one larva can exude several mucousy threads of silk that suspend from the roof of a cave, sticky enough to trap... Continue Reading →
The Ruakuri Bush Walk, whose trailhead is but a few kilometers beyond the Waitomo Caves attraction, is considered one of the ten best short hikes in New Zealand. In under an hour, you can see verdant forests, limestone outcroppings, caves, gorge, natural bridge, tunnel, and the Waitomo Stream, all in what is called a karst landscape.... Continue Reading →
Sitting atop a hill across from the B&B, Huhu is without question the best place to eat in Waitomo Caves. A restaurant of this caliber would do quite well in a larger urban area. After we dined here the first time (lunch), we knew we had to return before leaving for Auckland. Simply put, Huhu... Continue Reading →
One of the places recommended for a lunch by the proprietors of Waitomo Caves Guest Lodge was Curly's Bar, a tavern in the village just a few blocks up the main road. There are quite a few tables inside, likely filled when tourism is in full swing. There are pool tables and an internet café.... Continue Reading →
zoomeboshi 