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Author Topic: New Zealand  (Read 9051 times)

davecattell

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« on: January 20, 2005, 02:50:10 pm »

Although I spent most of my 5 weeks in NZ in 2002 on the south island, just to be a little different, I would recommend the north island as a stronger candidate.

The south island can be completely overcast alot of the time, whereas on the north you get all the wonderful colours of Rotorua etc.

Dave.
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Lisa Nikodym

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« Reply #1 on: January 20, 2005, 10:12:24 pm »

Howard, I guess I avoided the Marmite-and-baitfish places (I know they exist, I just didn't go near them).  I was too busy having things along the lines of wasabi prawns over wild rice and teriyaki steak with asian yams, and that's the sort of thing they do excellently.  (And I'm from a part of the world with excellent food, so it's not just that I don't know what it is...)

Lisa
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wsymington

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« Reply #2 on: January 25, 2005, 09:19:57 am »

Just ask anybody, Vegemite is a travesty of a sandwich spread. All the pros are switching to Marmite. :-)
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Alfred

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« Reply #3 on: January 17, 2005, 06:56:54 pm »

Virtualy anywhere in the south Island is good. But Fiordland would have to be my favourite spot
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BlasR

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« Reply #4 on: January 18, 2005, 09:00:36 pm »

Howard, here we go with the food.  My wife and I went there 1999, we bought a car for $300.00 sold it for $450 after 45 days from north to south and then north to wellington.
but what is the question anyway? any one going over there?


BlasR
PS New Zeland/Scotland best freindlly people in the world
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howard smith

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« Reply #5 on: January 20, 2005, 04:59:29 pm »

I wouldlike to return to NZ and see the north island.  While down south, besides eat, I took two whitewater raft day trips ans a guided hike (4 days) on the Millford Track(?).  All were very good experiences and worth the time.

On the subject of food, I understand a bit better why New Zealand isn't quite as well known as France or Italy.  All in all, pretty dreadful stuff.  The the hiking trip, they served a "spread" on toast for breakfast.  I liked it better than every one except the guide.  Salty and not too good.  Be careful.
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howard smith

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« Reply #6 on: January 20, 2005, 06:23:55 pm »

nniko, totally self guided except fot the "hut hopping."  Food was OK, mediocre, filling, cheap, and totally forgettable.  Tried a variety of stuff from lamb, to some bait fish cooked whole in whatever (eggs?).  I tried "pasties."  Reminded me of library with meat.  I'll take an In 'n Out burger anytime.  Probably just my tastes.  I will say the food was served with style and friendliness.

Marmite!  That's the salty stuff on bread.  Nasty.
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giles

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« Reply #7 on: January 20, 2005, 10:15:58 pm »

Yeah, Marmite would be bad.  Everyone knows Vegemite is the thing you really want!

Giles
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dnone

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« Reply #8 on: January 23, 2005, 05:21:29 pm »

just for the sake of it:

before expanding their market the company did some research on Marmite and -surprise surprise- they found that NOBODY will like it/eat it if not having been brought up with it from an early age...

the decision was taken to keep and expand the local market  :D

Lisas choice sounds much better..

dn
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howard smith

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« Reply #9 on: January 24, 2005, 04:18:46 pm »

"Yeah, Marmite would be bad.  Everyone knows Vegemite is the thing you really want!"  I've tried both, but what I really want is mom's homemade bisquits and orange marmalade.  As with so many other things, taste may be strange but indisputable.  Alas, poor Marmite.  It might be loved if I didn't know better.
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Alfred

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« Reply #10 on: February 07, 2005, 08:48:41 pm »

heck I live in this beautifull country and wouldn't touch either marmite nor vegemite. Mind you I was raised in The Netherlands so that might have something to do with it. They don't like double salt licorice here and I love the stuff. As for the weather it's always best to come late January early February, the weather has settled down by then and we get some great days here. Mind you, they didn't write the song Four seasons in one day for nothing.
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David Barker

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« Reply #11 on: January 27, 2005, 04:50:16 am »

I can only endorse the positive comments about the South Island, particularly the Mt Aspiring/Dart River area (as seen in Lord of the Rings, and many other films).

Food & drink - if you choose carefully you'll find excellent produce, served attractively by cheerful, friendly people. Coffee seems to be a strong point, but it's such an individual thing - find a good cafe and keep going back.

If you don't like Marmite you probably tried it spread too thickly. Of course many Marmite kids have tried Vegemite, and whilst for a time it can seem like an exotic alternative, redolent of faraway shores and half-remembered journeys, it's always good to return to one's roots and rediscover the one true jar.

Did I stray off-topic..?
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howard smith

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« Reply #12 on: January 18, 2005, 01:51:13 pm »

I visited New Zealand about 20ish years ago.  I had planned on spending about 2 weeks on the South Island and 2 weeks on the North Island.  I started at Christs Church on the South Island and spent the next 3 1/2 weeks on the South Islans and a couple of days on the North Island.

The South Island was the cleanest, most pristine place I have seen.  The people, except for Invercargle, were the most friendly I could imagine.  At that time, most everything except transportation was realtively inexpensive compared to southern California.  I was going to give my hiking guide a ger=nerous tip for expraordinary service, attention to details, and just plain being friendly, when he told me he would much rather have my polarfleece Patagonis shirt.  I litterly gave him the shirt off my back.  I spent Thanksgiving at a fishing lodge.  The hostess had very little idea what a US Thanksgiving was, except for turkey and dressing.  She served a turkey breast roast and a whole roasted chicken.  Well, the thought was great, and the roasted chicken priceless.  I caught a couple of "average" trout, that were the catch of a life time for me.

I would go back in a second, and would try for the North Island again.
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Lisa Nikodym

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« Reply #13 on: January 20, 2005, 05:48:21 pm »

Quote
On the subject of food, I understand a bit better why New Zealand isn't quite as well known as France or Italy.  All in all, pretty dreadful stuff.  

I've traveled around NZ for a total of several weeks, and found that the food was highly variable, much as in the US.  Cheap eats could be mediocre, but fine restaurants were usually quite excellent.  They are especially good at what I believe is called "fusion" style food, a mix of European and Asian tastes.  I actually preferred the food in NZ to that in Paris or Italy, in general.  I think you were eating at the wrong places, Howard; if you were on a tour (it wasn't clear, but sounded like it from what you said) you were probably not getting the best food available...

Lisa
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cgordon

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« Reply #14 on: January 24, 2005, 11:28:13 am »

funny, vegemite makes me barf - but then again, i was raised on marmite.

anyhow - my vote for my favourite spot on the south island has to be mt. aspiring national park. far away from all the tourists that you get in mt. cook and much of fiordland. i spent 3 months in nz, 1 month in the north, and 2 in the south. it's hard to pick a favourite - the north is so warm and has such beautiful weather, and beaches, and volcanoes and...of course the list goes on and on.

but the south has mountains. and oh how i love mountains. much less tourists as well. easier to get out into the middle of nowhere. but the weather is often a lot yuckier. all this remeniscing is making me want to go back now...
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Lisa Nikodym

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« Reply #15 on: January 27, 2005, 11:45:14 am »

Quote
Just ask anybody, Vegemite is a travesty of a sandwich spread. All the pros are switching to Marmite. :-)

 :laugh:

Quote
Did I stray off-topic..?

Of course!  But that's par for the course around here.  (Actually, Howard started it with some of his food ruminations again.  :)   )

Lisa
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