Summer Sails

The 32^nd America’s Cup is now in full swing. This is the world’s premier sailing competition and while I can honestly say that I really haven’t got a clue how it all works, I do know that it is of considerable importance to our Kiwi friends and as such find it all rather compelling.

Sailing is a clearly a passion for New Zealanders, especially on the North Island. After all it’s not for nothing that Auckland is referred to as the ‘City of Sails’ and regardless of whether or not you’re a ‘yachtie’ yourself, in my opinion this passion is one of the city’s great plusses. The Viaduct Harbour, which was revamped when Auckland last hosted the America’s Cup in 2003 is a great asset to the city and is the perfect waterside location to enjoy café culture or indulge in some fine dining.

From an activity standpoint, sailing takes centre stage with the Sail NZL40, which provides a unique opportunity to crew an America’s Cup grand prix racer. No previous experience is required but your participation is encouraged. There are many other ways to take to the water in Auckland including a Harbour Lunch Cruise, but for pure thrills the NZL40 is hard to beat.

• Departing daily Sail NZL40 costs from £46 per person and lasts 2 hours.
• Auckland Harbour Lunch Cruise is 1.5 hours and costs from £23 per person including a packed lunch.

Meanwhile, back to the current competition, the series is tied. Come on Team New Zealand!

Snack Time

Our General Manager, Kieran had just returned from NZ where amongst other things he’s been indulging in some of the country’s finest food offerings. Delectable hors d’oeuves, mouth watering lamb dishes and delicate deserts…. As he recounted some of the exquisite taste sensations he’d encountered in the last few weeks I couldn’t help but think about my own NZ food experiences and things that I miss…

Cheezels, Fantales, Tomato Munchos and ‘Pams Food’ items! (OK, so I don’t really miss the latter, but there is something quite amusing about reaching across the breakfast table for a pot of jam with your name on, or cornflakes, or bread…it’s the small things after all!)
 

For those who have travelled or lived there, New Zealand is well known for its range and quality of food. Fine dining is available everywhere, from fresh ‘fush ‘n’ chups’ to gourmet dishes served up as standard at the luxury lodges. Still its funny how when I quizzed other members of our team on what they missed most food wise about NZ, the answers were mostly for less exotic items. L&P lemon drink, Pineapple Lumps and of course meat pies.

Flight Fright Fascination

Growing up in the South Island of New Zealand is different to anywhere else in the world. In order to see other parts of my country, such as the North Island, I have to take the ferry across sea or fly. New Zealand has one airline, Air New Zealand, yes how original, who dominate the Pacific skies along side the odd Qantas plane or two. So after only flying Air New Zealand (ANZ) all my life, its only natural that i feel safest and most at ease with this airline. Yet somehow i managed to develop this ridiculously minor fear of flying. Upon take-off i have to squeeze my eyes tight shut and draw my legs up to my chest, so that i can't feel any engine failure vibrations through the floor of the plane (duh). I then push my earlobes inside my ear, attempting to block out any freaky rushing plane sounds and picture myself lying on a calm tropical beach, with my feet safely digging into the sand. I recently learned it is best not to crush the hand of the person sitting next to me as it may result in further discomfort on my behalf. Surprisingly though, i love landing and find it hilarious when my plane bounces or skids upon contact with the ground at eye-watering speeds. I believe this unnatural joy has to do with the concept of arrival and the desired action of getting off the plane.

Yet this small issue with flying has not managed to tame my wild passion for travel and new adventures, as i seem to forget i am 30 000ft. above sweet stable ground once we are airborne. I get distracted by the large variety of up-to-date movies and that delicious airplane food we all know and love. The drive of the destination fuels me, keeps me coming back for more personal torment in order to sample the flavour of every culture our world offers.

Air New Zealand fly daily from London Heathrow and have recently opened up new routings to Auckland via Hong Kong or Shanghai. Other popular stopover options include Los Angeles, San Francisco, Honolulu, Fiji, Rarotonga in the Cook Islands way out in the middle of the no where, Osaka and Tokyo, along with many more code shares and connecting airlines within the Star Alliance. The airline also offer Economy, Premium Economy and Business class airfares with the most comfortable seat pitch and that friendly Kiwi service with a smile.

New Zealand Christmas Tree

Ahhh, now is about that time when you are starting to think about kai for the Christmas barbie, pulling out your speedos again and dusting off the decorations to embellish the Pohutukawa tree. No, we don't really decorate the Pohutukawa tree but December is its time of year to flourish. The stunning blood red colour of its flower gives the Pohutukawa its unique beauty during this festive season.

The first settlers used pohutukawa blossom to decorate their new homes at Christmas time, think of it as New Zealand's rip off to holly. The settlers were the first to give the shrub its name of Christmas tree, but the name 'Pohutukawa' (Po-hootah-car-wah) is the Maori name meaning 'drenched with mist' or 'splashed with sea spray'. The leaves, bark, nectar and honey from this New Zealand native were also used by the indigenous Maori for many medicinal purposes, back in the day. Nowadays you can just get your fix at Amcal.

The trees are amazingly adaptable and can tolerate extreme coastal conditions, much like the common New Zealander really. They can be found congregating on beaches and coastline in the North Island of Aotearoa, much like the enthusiastic tourist.

However, our tree is in danger of being eaten. The possum, introduced from Australia, has damaged the Pohutukawa population, but the Kiwis have, of course, taken action. Project Crimson is the charitable trust which has been set up to protect the endangered species, along with its cousin the Rata. The funded conservation project encourages the growth and plantation of these trees throughout the nation, and plants up to 30 000 trees a year! There will be a tree for every sheep in no time!

Cafe Culture

Its hard not to notice the shear amount of pubs in England. My eyes twinkle and the corners of my mouth turn towards the sky at the idea of meeting friends for a pint, rather than a coffee. I now catch myself giving out directions using pub names as landmarks instead of using street names. In New Zealand, if you are having a rendezvous with a friend, usually one would meet for a spot of delightful chat over a soft chocolate fish and creamy cappuccino. Cafe Culture or 'coffee culture' is in full swing.

Auckland springs to mind, perusing the rim of the downtown viaduct, spoiled for choice as to where i will spend my $3.20 for a single shot latte.

Next to every cafe you find will be the compulsory-trendy-young-professional bar for you to lounge with a martini or high class imported beer. Prices are high, but the view of Auckland harbour is definitely something to drink to!

Lyttleton secrets

The historic Harbour town of Lyttelton has a quiet, country like feel to it, and is just 15 minutes drive through the tunnel from Christchurch. With one small main street and quirky shops and cafes, its known for its bohemian style and other creative types that live there. I love the arty feel to this place. Too much sea air does weird things to you I guess.

I could go on and on about the numerous funky cafes around New Zealand but the Lava bar and Volcano cafe (next door to each other) are fantastic to wind down in after a day strolling the hills and exploring Quail Island in the Harbour.The Lava bar has an upstairs courtyard to lounge in under hanging flowers and overgrown vines on a warm summers evening. It feels a bit like someones back garden but with better food. Downstairs is shared with the Volcano cafe and their main menu starts at 6pm. If you prefer, they have a BYO bottled wine license.

After your meal, waddle across the road to pop your head into the Wunder Bar - a must see for Lyttleton. Even if its just for one drink. They regularly have live music, where up and coming bands start out (including my brothers band!). Local artists display works on the low-lit walls amongst 1920s-50s memorabilia posters and weird and wacky sculptures made from old barbie dolls or farming equipment. Its very colourful and the staff are interesting...

Sign of the Kiwi

Being from Christchurch makes me slightly biased..but that also means I know some brilliant locations around this beautiful city I call home.  One of those is the Sign of the Kiwi. A historic site which was used by the settlers as a rest house and tearooms, still sits high up on the Port hills at the dividing point between Lyttelton and Christchurch. If you stand in the middle of the road (not recommended) you see on one side the sparse flatness of plains spread out before you and great mountains far into the distance, but turn to the other side, the salty sea air cuts your face as you scour the blue-green bay waters of Lyttelton Harbour with tiny houses dotted into hillsides.

The best way to see these views is by car, although there are still many fit examples that cycle and jog around the Port hills for kicks. Winding roads hug the summit, with many an opportunity for that essential postcard shot.

The Sign of the Kiwi put on a home style tea time with scones, cream and jam or freshly made club sandwiches with tea and are open 10-4 daily. But I always choose a goody goody gumdrops ice cream or banana thick shake!