It has been a real change of pace for these two city slicker apartment dwellers to adapt to all the large houses on large properties with expansive views and long drives for all the services. We have been enjoying the dark skies and silence, but it can be a little TOO peaceful at times. We broke up our six-hour drive from one home exchange to the next with what some people call a city break, a night in a small mother-in-law unit in Hamilton.
On our drive from the Northlands, we got one more beach stop for a small picnic and then stopped for a late lunch in south Auckland. We wanted to make it to this spot because it is one of the few casual spots (not a whole ‘experience’) where you can try Maori hangi. We were excited about this slow-cooked stack of meats - chicken on top of lamb on top of pork on top of the local sweet potato called kumara, along with other veggies. Traditionally this would be underground on coals but can also be in a stacked smoker.
Ours didn't really tasted roasted at all - more boiled and bland, almost no spices besides salt. We will give it another try if we get the chance. I also have to point out the drink 'Feijoa Fizz' - this is a beloved fruit with a unique flavor I can't describe with any other fruit comparison. They happen to be in season, and I first encountered them in Auckland. I kept seeing boxes outside people's homes, then finally in a burger joint. I asked them how you are supposed to eat this fruit, and they said cut in half, with a spoon, like a kiwi! I got my fill of them from the orchard in our last house, too.
From there the drive got more inland, further south, noticeably cooler, and increasingly colorful as the fall leaves started to appear. We got a good show of that along Hamilton’s river walk, after we checked in. Our hosts were a very interesting couple - a kiwi and South African, trying to prove to the government they were in a ‘committed, loving relationship’ after 10+ years together and 2 years of marriage. Apparently there is a huge problem with visa fraud involving false marriages to people from African and Asian countries.
The small city had a lively vibe. Their local rugby team won a match that day and people were celebrating, restaurants had their heaters out on the patios, and music was blasting. We heard something that was calling out, a little independent music venue in a basement. The music sounded live but it was recorded, they were having an open mic night later on. We went for a bite to eat and then came back for some of the most horrific performances outside a karaoke bar, but it was memorable, and still fun!
The next day we went on a long run along the river and checked out an attraction that turned out to take us several hours to see. I can’t believe this garden was free as a lot had been invested in its design. There were sections modeled after all different types of classic gardens, including Tudor, English garden, Italian Renaissance, Chinese, Japanese, Indian, Maori agricultural, Modernist, Surrealist and even Ancient Egyptian.
There were areas dedicated to roses and others to local species, plus a huge area for herbs and edibles for display and feeding the hungry. We were there long enough to get hungry too. Luckily there was an ice cream stall with one of the best New Zealand dairies that specializes in local flavors. Feijoa is one! We got another local specialty which is pretty normal - just vanilla with honeycomb, but this flavor is everywhere, and the name is delightful - Hokey Pokey.
The drive from Hamilton to our house on the shores of the great Lake Taopo was gloriously pastoral and right out of the movies. Specifically the Lord of the Rings movies - we drove right past the ‘Hobbiton’ movie set. Instead of stopping there, we stopped for a short walk to this impressive suspension bridge. Then, on to our next stop where we went back to meal planning, doing a big grocery shop, and cooking all our own meals again.
