ramblings of a Seattle travel, food and photography hound
The earthquake of September 2011 shut down New Zealand's production of its beloved Marmite, manufactured by Sanitarium Health Food Company in a Christchurch facility that was severely damaged. There was a collective despair when Marmite suddenly became scarce, Sanitarium going so far as to urge Kiwis to use it sparingly, even rationing it. That was... Continue Reading →
It sort of looks like a latté, except that the surface of the beverage is shinier rather than foamy. The flavor is strongly espresso-like, the milk seeming to play an almost minor role. This is New Zealand's flat white, which my wife who appreciates milky coffee drinks became enamored of when she first tasted it... Continue Reading →
New Zealand might be associated with the kiwi, but for my money, there are two that are much more appealing, more exotic even, than the fuzzy fruit. While both passionfruit and feijoa are not native to New Zealand, they both have adapted well to its climate and developed industries that make the island nation an... Continue Reading →
A cookie, or biscuit as it's called in New Zealand, that started out as a practical way for Down Under mothers and wives to send spoilage-resistant cookies to their sons and husbands on the front lines of World War I, is arguably the iconic cookie of New Zealand and Australia. My first taste of the... Continue Reading →
One of the most stunning places in the world to visit is New Zealand, a land of towering mountains, spectacular glaciers, turquoise lakes and volcanoes, a testament to the restlessness and creativity of immense geologic forces. It was for good reason that Peter Jackson filmed his entire Lord of the Rings trilogy, and now the Hobbit,... Continue Reading →
I've thought long about whether I should do this post. The subject has bothered me for some time since it affects me—or, I should say, members of my family—personally. The astronomically high cost-of-living in New Zealand. How do the Kiwis do it? It's been getting more expensive to live there year by year. Wages haven't... Continue Reading →
My son-in-law pointed out the earthquake rubble below us. To my untrained eyes, they just looked like rocks littering the side of Mt Cavendish, but from the gondola car making its way to the top, you could see that many rocks were not covered in lichen, signifying recent movement from their original spots. So many... Continue Reading →
Yesterday's news that a large 6.5 earthquake hit Wellington, New Zealand's capital, following a 5.7 rattler only two days before, was yet another reminder that New Zealand remains seismically active. When I was here earlier in the year, Mt Tongariro on the North Island erupted. Volcanic activity and sudden earth movement are alive and well... Continue Reading →
The Waipara Valley Wine and Food Festival is an annual event that celebrates the wines produced in the namesake valley. Such festivals are generally fun to attend, so when our son-in-law told us about this one, it didn't take long to decide on going. In order to reduce traffic and congestion at the venue, several... Continue Reading →
Ask a bunch of Kiwis where they enjoy their favorite fish and chips and you're likely to get a range of opinions, so ubiquitous is this kind of shop throughout New Zealand. As an aside, an odd fact in New Zealand and Australia is that hamburgers are often sold in fish and chip shops, too.... Continue Reading →
zoomeboshi 