9 Things that make New Zealand Great (Apart from the obvious!)

Everybody goes on about the 'gorgeous mountains/lakes/rocks/countryside/', so here is an alternative list for things that make New Zealand a great place to visit....

1. Fish & Chips - Yes, the traditional British tucker is also a mainstay of the junk food diet in every town/city/village over in New Zealand, although the preparation and taste is very different to that in the UK. Instead of pre-preparing the fish and leaving it under the food warmers to stay hot (if not a little soggy), they freshly prepare your chosen bit of filleted fish with batter, then deep fry it in clean oil to give an altogether tastier meal... I am sure this is how we used to do it - so why not now?!!!!!
2. 'Real' sweeties (as my parents would call them) - home made liquorice, cinder toffee, aniseed balls... Hmmmmm....
3. New Zealand Wine - The wine trail in Marlborough (Blenheim) took us through the wine making process of a few choice vineyards, and the taste variations of the different grapes. We learnt a lot and got sozzled at the same time - see, we are actually doing positive character building stuff, too...!
4. Tip-Top Ice Cream - This is absolutely, most definitely, without a doubt the nicest New Zealand Ice Cream I have ever tasted. If there is some thing that New Zealand has an abundance of, it is dairies (OK, and sheep, mountains, dolphins, whales, volcanoes, glaciers, beaches, sand flies, rugby players etc. but they don't fit into this particular list), and the Tip Top dairy produces some fine Ice Cream. From Boysenberry to Kiwi Fruit, Gold Rush to Cookies and Cream, all tastes were catered for, and massive scoops dished out for a meager $1.50 per cone.
5. Very Helpful Tourist Information Centres - Located in most towns, these places will help you find the chapest tours, best food, and even the best place to illegally park up and camp over night. Only in New Zealand!!!
6. Pies - This country is Pie mad. But they do know how to make them. I have just realised that there is a lot of food and drink featuring in this list...
7. Great Bands - there are a plethora of great Kiwi bands, and we have 'discovered' some great new music whilst over here... Where's my MP3 player..?
8. Bizarre Radio Stations - Local radio stations playing really great music, but sounding like the shows are totally unplanned and broadcast from a cupboard in someone's house (and probably are!!!). Some of the 'back to back' music shows are blatantly someone with their (often very good) vinyl collection and one record player - alot of the time, there were long gaps between records while the DJ has obviously left the cupboard to make a cup of tea/coffee or have a 'smoko'.
9. Freedom Camping - Rocking up somewhere of your choice - often a beach or a mountain lake - and camping overnight... Truly 'wherever I lay my hat' stuff.

After a month in Kiwiland, we flew over to Oz. I wonder what is in store for us there...?

:o)