Piha

So yesterday I got my wish and we FINALLY went to Piha! It is about a 45 minute drive or so from where we live, and after helping Sam and Natalia move in the morning, we took off to Piha with Royce and Laura because it was SUCH a beautiful day!

It was so beautiful there, lots of waves and mist form the waves crashing and big rocks... the biggest is "lion rock" which is called that because it looks like a Lion at rest.

We climbed over some rocks to get to the "lagoon", which usually has water in it but we were there at low tide. But I got to see some very pretty wave action crashing against the rocks, and we even went into a cave that goes out the other side to the sea. In the summer we are definitely going back and I can't wait!

Kiwi's Kiwi word of the day: PARTNER It means: Girl/boyfriend. Kinda confused me for a bit lol

Fondue Night!

So this post was supposed to go on last night, but we got home late... so bear that in mind. Oh, and Kim... if you are reading this, yes... I am going to talk bout food. Again. LOL

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY KATE!

So tonight we went to Kiwi's parents house to celebrate Kate's birthday, and of course it had a theme. :) FONDUE NIGHT! Everyone brought a different fondue dish, and we all sat around a big coffee table on pillows and dug in! Kiwi's parents even had their original fondue set from the 70's complete with awesome retro colors, and mushrooms, flowers and everything. It was pretty sweet.

We had a realllly yummy bread dip that Martin and Sharelle brought, and then we had cheese fondue (a la Kate and Adam) and beef stock and sherry (care of Kiwi's parents). We had so many different things to dip... slice beef, lamb, veggies, bread, cocktail sausages... we were so stuffed.

After "dinner" we played Cranium... girls vs. boys. Hmm... I wonder who won... ;) GIRLS :D

After the game we had the dessert... chocolate fondue (care of Kiwi and I). We brought strawberries, pineapple, kiwifruit, fingerling bananas and croissants (thanks to Kiwi's dad for the mini croissants!). It was a free-for-all with the chocolate, not a drop left! SO good.

In one month, we will be hosting a theme night at our new place, so we have to think of a good theme! Suggestions are encouraged!

Kiwi's Kiwi word of the day: PASH It means: to kiss

Fast Food in New Zealand

So apparently having a normal Monday-Friday office job is not conducive to writing on my blog! So I have decided to try and write on every Sunday (Saturday for you folks back in Canada). Hopefully this will keep me accountable to writing in my blog, and then everyone knows when there will be a new post!

So obviously this is Thursday, not Sunday but I decided if I am going to post my idea of a once-a-week blog, then why not continue on? So here's my topic: Fast Food in NZ.

MCDONALD'S

So as shown in the photo above, I thought it was quite cute that the McDonald's logo has a Kiwi underneath it... much like how in Canada there is a Maple Leaf there. McDonald's in NZ is quite like it is in North America, although they have a wonderful creation that is the Deluxe Cheeseburger. Instead of mustard (ewwwwwwwwwwww) they have Mayo and lettuce. AND it's cheaper than the regular version! As well, they do "Family packs" which make me giggle. Finally, they have a limited burger I haven't seen yet called the "Kiwi Burger" which has a slice of beet in it and a fried egg. I will definitely be writing about this one when they offer it!

KFC

Okay... so think of what Tim Horton's is like in Canada... that's KFC here. During dinnertime, the drivethru is PACKED all the way through the parking lot and out to the road! It's seriously popular. The downside to KFC here is that it is VERY greasy, totally tastes different than back home. And the french fries are different too, not as crispy and they are coated in "chicken salt". Apparently that's a popular thing.

BURGERFUEL

This word is synonymous to HEAVEN. It is seriously the best burger I have put in my mouth since the Kobe beef mini sliders at the Wynn when I was in Vegas with my big brother. And we're talking a seriously massive burger! Most of them have aioli, avocado, bacon... and other things. You have to put your burger in what is called a "doofer", which is a cardboard holder for your burger because it is so massive! Their fries are to DIE for ... I crave them sometimes. AND this may shock a few of you, but I don't eat them with ketchup... no at Burgerfuel you eat them with aioli. Mmmm....

WENDY'S

Nothing really to report here, tastes the same, same fries, same burgers... only difference is that the Frosty I got was vanilla, not malt. :(

So, suffice to say that although I have experienced the fast food here when we arrived, it's only on occasion now. Since we just moved out and are paying rent and all that good adult stuff, obviously it is not a luxury we can afford... as well as we are trying to eat food we make at home. Burgerfuel ends up costing almost $40 for 2 burgers, 2 spud fries, 2 aiolis and 2 drinks :P

Kiwi's Kiwi word of the day: BUZZY It means: Cool, but interesting (freaky) at the same time