Eat, drive and eat some more

Eat, drive and eat some more

Oh yes, how we enjoyed our food in NZ. Our skinny waif-like selves burst forth again now that we were self-catering and back in the land of European food! Top of the list was Greg’s obsession with Hokey Pokey. Unfortunately, this wasn’t some weird deviant behaviour, but cinder toffee coated in chocolate mmmm yum. We also enjoyed Afghan biscuits, Fejoa fruits (should be national fruit instead of impostor Kiwi) and lots of fish & chips!! (The fish having names I’d never heard of, but tasted good).
But, hey, since we’re leaving NZ tomorrow, I thought I’d do our usual summary on things we thought were funny, unusual etc.

Driving. Yup we pretty much circumnavigated the whole of the South Island by road, and then up to Auckland. Our trusty 20 year car did us proud. Just a little TLC in the form of oil and water, we sold it for $NZ600 yesterday which ain't bad as it only cost us $NZ900. Driving here is nimps. The roads are just like two lane A roads and there are hardly any other cars about. Tail-gating , however, is de rigour, but didn’t seem to be as aggressive as back home. It got more tense as we travelled north and the population density increased, so by the time we hit Auckland, everyone was ready to wipe you off the road – just like at home really.

Kiwi TV and adverts. Well, for a start their adverts are on too long, but there are a few gems in there. Straight talking tell it like it is stuff. Really playing on the male psyche with drink driving stuff “You’re a bloody idiot!” Yes, can’t argue with that really. There’s also a yoghurt marketed at men called Mammoth. It says only men can eat it with great shovel like spoon action and each carton has advice on things real men should and shouldn’t do – like not share an umbrella no matter how desperate. Moa Beer – “…you can buy it in shops.” And it’s true – you can.
Sports programme – how I (Liz) really can’t stand these at home. But here, check out The Crowd Went Wild on You Tube, it’s so entertaining. Can’t tell if they actually have a script, but I was riveted, even though I have no understanding on any of the sports shown. That’s another refreshing thing, it wasn’t all about football, it showed a really diverse range, including women’s games. (They did give the vote to women years before Britain).
Kids with bare feet. No, this is not poverty related, kids genuinely feel restricted in shoes. Saw them playing in the street, in supermarkets, in school. They start wearing shoes for high school according to Nickie our Wwoof host.
Coffee obsession. Yes, never fear, you will never be far away from a fresh and expensive brew.
Shopkeepers say “How are you?’ or “How’s your day going?” instead of hello. Always throws me, as I think this might be someone I’m supposed to know (it’s the reserved Brit bit coming out).
There are sections in shops labelled Manchester. Where, I ask, is Liverpool or Leeds? Guess what it is – think industrial revolution. Yes, it’s cotton and linen. Funny or what!
All bad things are not native eg stoats, possums, deadly nightshade, brambles, gorse. It’s all there taking the country over.
Well funky dressed older ladies in even the smallest of towns.
Adventure sports – yeah right. You just pay to participate really (not that I’m cynical).
Kiwis are really good at bigging things up. “Historic train station” sign and “historic plaque”.

Apart from the milder climes, the best thing about NZ is the people. They’re straight talking, tell it like it is and really friendly & helpful. They have good dry sense of humour, with a liberal dose of irony (just like Brits I believe). People are not obsessed with money, houses, cars, just looking forward to the weekend when they can take the kids to the beach, camp and have a barbie. The important, and simple pleasures.
We loved it here and will be back!
Total no. of night's camping = 43
Liz
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