kiwi summer - scene 1

a couple of months ago we took the long haul flight home for a good old kiwi summer.
some random shots.

somerfield strawberries

slightly late (being trendy and all?!), but happy new year!!
god 2011 and we still don't have flying cars.
but hey, 2011 is gonna be a great year; i can feel it in my bones! i've found an apartment in tokyo, i have a job starting in february, everything is going as planned (touch wood...)

for the first time in a loooong time i woke up on january the 1st without a hangover; that's gotta be a good start to the year (boy am i looking at that in a positive note!).
anyway, fingers crossed that 2011 is gonna be a super year for us all.


been out in the sun today picking plump red strawberries and raspberries.
talk about yum!
excuse the shot of my pink pants...







kou-chan has been eating our fresh strawberries straight from daddy's hand but for us adults we have been indulging ourselves by dipping these fresh strawberries in mascarpone cheese drizzled with runny honey (this is so divine!)
another yummy way is with a splash of balsamic vinegar, brown sugar and a healthy dollop of greek yoghurt.


thumbs up for summer!

fish & chips

a kiwi favorite; fish & chips on the beach.
so should have taken the gladwrap off that lemon before clicking the shutter!

we can't come all the way down here to new zealand without having fish & chips on the beach.

to tell the truth i'm not; or should i say wasn't a big fish & chip eater as the heavy batter used on the fish and the oily chips didn't do much for me.
well times have changed.
the tarakihi fish we ordered was beautiful and fresh and the batter was as light as japanese tempura. tried out their bread-crummed fish too; just as divine.
the seagulls wanted to get in on our meal and i don't blame them.




it was kou-chan's first time ever to feel the sand under his feet (and in his hands, eyes, mouth...) and he loved it!! much better than his "first feel of grass" experience...
he loved the small waves washing up over his little toes and basically couldn't get enough of it.
must be the kiwi blood in him.

out and about

after my last rant about the rain, the gods have decided to bring on summer; and it's a beautie!

just been for a walk along the waterfront close to home taking in the natural sights, like the beautiful pohutukawa tree's (new zealand's native christmas tree) flowers which are in full bloom.
some things not quite so natural like the huge homes which line the streets. took a not-so-good photo of a new ginormous one being built.






for months i've been getting excited about showing kou-chan my home and all the natural beauty which makes new zealand so special.
unfortunately he absolutely loves his mountain buggy (the bestest buggy by the way; oh and naturally made in new zealand!) and falls into a peaceful sleep on our walks.

alimento

sunblock, beach umbrellas, bbqs in the garden, jandals and togs = a good old kiwi summer.

well with the constant rain we have been having you would think i was visiting a blimmin rain forest in some sub-tropical land.
at least the sheila (women) on the telly is saying that we are in for a brilliant crissy (christmas).

the rain kinda held back a bit today so we grabbed at the opportunity and ducked out for a flat white at one of my dad's local cafes; alimento cafe.







i couldn't resist having a brunch of eggs benidicts; very yum.
the cake i had afterwards was way too sweet for my liking so i let dad finish it up for me. think i must be used to less-sweet japanese sweets.

the cafe culture in new zealand is great; kinda shocked at the price of a coffee now though. i remember when they were like nz$2.50, now about $4!
seriously good coffee though.




cafe info:
alimento cafe
72 first avenue
tauranga 3110