Things We Love About New Zealand:
1) The market! The kiwis take their markets seriously; start time – 6 am, end time – 10 am. Produce is fresh and at a fraction of the cost of what you’d pay at the supermarket. Joseph buys two dollar bouquets of fragrant flowers for Kristine. Kristine buys whiskey bacon from Edelweiss’ award winning butcher and whips up something savoury for Joseph. Together they buy huge bags of kiwifruit for under $2.
2) Daffodils – they bloom in abundance despite it being winter. Next up; rhododendrons!
3) No hidden sales tax! Forget odd amounts of change weighing down your change purse. Clerks will round up the cost and the change. Oh, and forget tipping in restaurants.
4) Cafes – they’ve got character and amazing fare. We have yet to be disappointed by a cappuccino or flat white; such artistic designs on the foam that you just have to take a picture! Passion Café, teach me how to make afghan cookies. Over the Bridge Café, we’ll meet again. Jolly Good Fellows, save us a piece of chocolate mousse cake!
5) Limited American influence – kiwis aren’t materialistic people. They don’t have mass amounts of unnecessary toys. They don’t worry about keeping up with the Jones’. They’re not a consumer credit reliant culture. Kiwis embrace simplicity.
6) Scenic Reserves & Bush Walks – No excuses for being lazy and inactive! There are beautiful and lush trails just about everywhere you look. Pack some trail mix, your camera and get moving. There are not enough hours in the day!
7) Landscape – lush, diverse, dramatic, breathtaking and extraordinary; just a few words to describe the scenery through our eyes. It’s impossible to fully capture through a photograph. Our regular drive into town feels like a medieval trail or one that was used by hobbits; relatively untouched and free of modern devices.
8) The Locals – they’re down to earth and very welcoming. Joseph’s got a hunting date with Bob and a drawing date with Peter. Kristine’s had coffee dates with Brigid the artist and Mariane the Dane. How many communities throw a welcome party for newcomers at the local hall? Oh, and the members of Knox Presbyterian are notorious for inviting newcomers home for lunch. How lovely!
9) The Animals – Watch out for wild turkeys and pheasants crossing the road! The tui will wake you up in the morning with a sweet warbling; much preferred over the call of a magpie! Springtime is lambing time – how cute! The possum might make a stir on the rooftop at night, but they’re harmless. We’re on the lookout for a real wingless kiwi bird; maybe at the zoo.
10) Travel Time – We are nestled deep in the hills of Rangiwahia; farm village central. And yet, a two hour drive will take us to either the wineries of Hawkes Bay, the beaches of New Plymouth or to the mineral hot springs of Taupo. Didn’t we used to drive 5 hours for a weekend in Edmonton?
Things We Miss About Canada:
1) Central Heating – Canadians are spoiled; to wake up without the fear of seeing ones breath or slipping into a pair of ice cold slippers. We do this by choice on a camping excursion; risk freezing. I don’t understand the logic behind insulated curtains. Shouldn’t walls be the better choice?
2) Electric Clothes Dryer – Not only is it an efficient time saver, but it also traps lint! We’ve grown to appreciate an ever changing display of clothes on the drying rack near the wood stove.
3) Toyota Highlander – it had guts! We lose a lot of steam going up hills in our ’95 Toyota Grandpa Camry. Joseph has the pedal through the floor and a speed of 50 while hot-shots leave us in the dust.
4) Aged cheddar cheese! Nothing beats a good chunk of Armstrong or smoked apple-wood. Although, a constant supply of camembert and brie shall keep us going while we’re here.
5) Broadband wireless internet – Want to know the latest news? Joseph would hop onto CNN or CBC. Miss an episode of Kristine’s favourite So You Think You Can Dance? Download it for free in a matter of minutes! This is our year to ‘’unwire’’.
6) Water Pressure – There was never a fear at home that you hadn’t rinsed out all the shampoo or conditioner. Showering is this great luxury to be enjoyed and savoured! We are making due with the shoulder level trickle, hoping it builds character.
7) Maple Syrup - Golden Syrup, you will never compare! Arataki honey, you’ll come close.
8) Rules of the Road - The roundabout seems to make sense, but help us out with who has the right-of-way when turning at an intersection! We’ll drive with an extra bit of caution and avoid getting flustered if honked at.
9) Staples & The Bay – Joseph loves his electronics and I love my Vera Moda sales! Oh well – no time for shopping when you’re exploring new treasures.
10) Family & Friends – Thank you for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers. We appreciate you following along on our blog. Keep the emails and letters coming – we love hearing from you!
About that maple syrup... I was amazed when we were in New Zealand at a cafe when I was told that they made the maple syrup right there at the cafe. Upon further inquiry it seems like they made it with maple sugar. It was the best substitute for the real thing I have ever had. The waitress was then subjected to a lecture on how "real" maple syrup is made.
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