Road trip to & Rotorua

Yesterday was roadtrip day. Wellington to Rotorua. Many years ago I drove the route quite often, but it was just me and the requirement to stop and sight-see wasn't there.
Yesterday we took our time but also had a more interesting journey.

On the journey I discovered a few things I'd forgotten about New Zealand.
If you want to have a successful (or get lots of marketing for your restaurant in a regional town, you need to have a plane associated with it). Here are two examples (and yes believe me there were more).

Mangaweka International Airport ( & cafe ) .... yeah right.

McDonalds at Taupo. 

Likewise on the journey each town needs to differentiate itself by associating itself with an icon, and that icon needs to be large.
Two examples;

• Taihape. Gumboot capital of the world. Yep, a giant gumboot.

• Taupo (again). Big lake. Lots of rainbow trout. Yep, a trout.

Having said that it must work. We stopped at both Taihape (for lunch) and Taupo for a break.
BTW, Taihape has a conveniently located auto electrician. This works out nicely when you've overloaded the car with electronics and need to buy a fuse. You can also get mobile reception which you need in order to use Google Translate to translate the Japanese car manual to workout where the fuse box is, and which fuse will be blown.

All-in-all, an interesting an enjoyable drive up. We also saw a few tanks training just off the Desert Road (from the army base in Waioru). Sorry, no photos of that one.

Today was spent exploring Rotorua. We kicked off the morning with a trip to Hells Gate. Once the kids got over the aromatics of sulphur they enjoyed checking out the thermal park. Lots of steam, thermal pools, mud pools etc.

The medicine pool is supposed to be good for the skin. I couldn't resist.

I can now start my new career as a hand model.

This afternoon we headed over to Rainbow Springs Kiwi Wildlife Park. They are doing some really great work trying to save and protect the native kiwi population.
We got to see how they save kiwi eggs and then raise the kiwi's until they are big enough to be re-released back to the same location they came from. They have just hatched their 1000th kiwi.
We also got to see three kiwi's that were raised in captivity. It was a really great experience and one that the kids really enjoyed. I didn't take any photos as it was restricted.
They did have some great exhibits outside of the nocturnal viewing environment though.

Also in the wildlife park they had a host of native birds, fish and the really cool dinosaur. The Tuatara. 

To finish the day off and relax we hit up the Polynesian Spa. 

The kids got to splash around and ride the mini slide, whilst Sam and I watched the from the 40degC hot mineral pools. 

Wellington, Zealandia & Weta Cave

Yesterday we started the family jaunt around the North Island.
We had a very uneventful trip from Picton to Wellington on the ferry across Cook Straight (the kind of ferry trip you want in NZ).

Sam graciously gave up her ticket for the All Blacks vs Canada game so I could go with my mate Phil. It was a great running game with the AB's scoring at a point a minute. Canada got a couple of try's too to great applause.

Today we took the kids up to Zealandia. 

ZEALANDIA is a unique eco-attraction. New Zealand's incredible natural history is brought to life with a state-of-the-art indoor exhibition. It is quite hands on and fantastic for the kids with lots to look at, lots of multimedia and lots of buttons to press.

We did briefly venture into the 225ha (550 acre) eco-sanctuary but with a day of heavy rain it wasn't the best to see some of New Zealand's rarest birds, reptiles and insects in the wild.

After lunch we then headed off to the Weta Cave.

Weta provide a lot of the magic to movies such as Lord of the Rings, King Kong, District 9 and Avatar. They are currently working on Tin Tin. 

The Weta Cave is quite small and contains a mini museum of props and collectibles from the movies Weta has been involved with. 

There is also a short screening showing some behind the scenes information about Weta. It looks like a pretty cool place to work. 

I was really taken with the reality of the props. You'd swear that they would really work.

 Tomorrow we head north road tripping.

Skywire

Skywire is a unique experience (the only ride of its type in the world) . You are strapped onto a high tech 4-chair carriage, which is launched 1.6km over and back, high above a native forest valley. You reach speeds of up to 100 kph (we hit mid 80's) on an endless cable, dropping 150 metres, similar in principle to an extreme high-speed ski lift.

First up was Nana & Poppa with Aidan & Abbey.

The destination is 1.6km across the valley to the other ridge.

We held off going for a couple of days waiting for a still day. It is Spring, but there is still a lot of snow around and anything more than a breeze can be quite chilly at altitude even before barreling down a wire at 100 clicks and getting the full wind chill.

We all had a blast. The kids got to go twice. Once with Nana and Poppa and once with Sam and I.

On the journey back down we stopped in the middle of the forest to experience some history.

There were a bunch of Maitai trees (both Male and Female) that are over 2000 years old.

The guide told a story that the tree is semi hollow and liquid gathers and ferments on the sap of the tree. The liquid is apparently quite fowl but is very alcoholic. The story goes that it was so alcoholic the bushmen were restricted from drinking it until Friday afternoon (which meant they couldn't fell the Maitai trees until Friday).

I can't find any references to this, but I like the story.

There is also a Maori Toki protecting the Maitai trees. Both Aidan and Abbey learnt how to do the Maori kiss.

After the trip Aidan & Abbey got to feed the lambs, eels and ducks. 

Aidan's lamb was very receptive.

Abbey's wasn't too keen on feeding time. 

The eels were very hungry.

But the ducks were fighting them off to get the bread.

A top afternoon enjoyed by the whole family.

The NZ Beer Scene

We've been here for three weeks so definitely time for a post about the NZ Beer scene from a home/commercial brewers ex-pat perspective.

First up the mainstream bottle shops are crap. Let me re-phrase that. AVOID MAINSTREAM BOTTLESHOPS. They are the exact transposition of the majority of Australian pubs. Ruled by the two mainstream brewers.

Right got that off my chest, how is the craft beer scene ??

Obviously a LOT has changed in the last 15 years since I left. On the plus the rise of the small local breweries. Being based in Nelson for our Rugby World Cup sojourn you would expect the immediate proximities of so many craft breweries should provide a huge wealth of beer offerings to inspire and excite my taste buds.
Likewise our many trips already to Wellington for rugby games and side trips to all the latest craft beer bars should have uncovered a wealth of new flavors to tantalise my taste buds.

The reality is that NZ is still a very small market, and the majority of pubs are still frequented by the older drinker locked into the beer(s) they have always drunk. Craft beer drinkers or even worse the craft beer traveller/hunter/brewer/ticker/researcher like myself are in the minority and at the mercy of the craft brewers trying to make ends meet. They appear to be still trying to brew that gateway beer that is enough to differentiate themselves from the BIG 2 but not offend and still be able to charge a small premium.
For the most part this means that the brick & mortar brewers, each are producing the standard lager, amber, dark and a seasonal. 

In terms of an entire lineup of beers, the definite stand-outs in are Epic, Tuatara, Yeastie Boys (and I hope to find more on upcoming laps of the Nth and Sth Islands). There are also breweries for beer I've tasted only one or two of their lineups that I'm keen to further explore.

Having real world experience of selling beer targeted at craft beer aficionados I intimately understand the the problem of being able to sell certain volumes of beer in order to break even. However this is my beer journey/research trip and I'm still looking to be wowed and inspired.

So enough of the preface, what have I found that has tweaked my senses and got me excited ?

DISCLAIMER: this does not cover the MANY beers that I've previously had the opportunity to imbibe in, in Australia (eg. all the beers at the @localtaphouseDL / @localtaphouseSK Kiwi SpecTAPular (many of which have already inspired or exited me) or via niche bottle shops in Brisbane, Sydney & Melbourne, & Oz craft beer venues/festivals).

8 Wired
- Sauvin Saison ( yes this is avail in Oz but I held off knowing I was coming to NZ and visiting the source )
- Superconductor ( whilst not poured in the best condition at the venue I had it at the aroma, body and flavor were all fantastic

Golden Ticket Brewing
- Emperor Strikes Black ( wow from the first mouthful. Downed two pints in the first sitting and hop to get more this weekend )

Croucher Brewing
- Mothers Milk Stout ( has been a goto beer at a couple of venues and hasn't disappointed each time )

Mussel Inn

- Dark Horse ( a dark horse been indeed. Not overly out there in any respect, just a really really well made enjoyable beer )

- Freckled Frog ( a Feijoa Cider. I'm not a big fan of cider but really enjoyed this one. A great balance of all the right flavours).

For a list of what has been sampled so far just checkout my Untappd timeline here.

My tips are:
1. If you want to get great craft beer in NZ don't go to a major chain bottle-shop !!
2. Find a specialist bottle-shop that understands what craft beer really is.
3. Check out your local supermarket. Some are good & some are awesome. In Nelson/Richmond Fresh Choice does an awesome job of supporting the local craft brewers by selling their beers in both FYO (fill your own) style eg. Rigger, Goon as well as bottled product.
a: for instance today I found Epic Hop Zombie, Yeastie Boys Rex Attitude & Duncan Founders latest seasonal at a small metro style Fresh Choice
b: they also had instore wine tasting using those cool closed system win sampling machines.

4. Checkout BeerTourist. It will give you the real quick headsup on where to be.

Go USA

Tomorrow night Nelson is hosting USA in their match against Italy.
Whilst Nelson has adopted Italy as their second team, Richmond (a satellite city of Nelson) has adopted USA.
Today Richmond started a couple of days of activities to make USA feel welcome and get some local support bind them. It all kicked off with a parade (all American style) down the main street.

Cheer leaders (from the local rugby union team) closely followed by some bikers.

A customary old style police car complete with siren

and even a mix of old army gear.

Following the parade were the welcomes from the local mayor, USA team manager, USA Ambassador to NZ etc.

Aidan and I escaped to take a few photos

whilst Abbey was happy some some of the freebies 

A spot of shopping and Aidan got a welcome addition to his wardrobe for tomorrow nights game.

We're all looking forward to the Italy vs USA game tomorrow night and the tailgate party in Richmond prior to the game (complete with local wineries and breweries ;-)  ).

Taste Nelson

Taste Nelson is a festival that encapsulates everything that is fantastic about Nelson: food, wine, beer, seafood, fresh produce, culinary delights, arts, crafts and local performing talent.

And with the greatest concentration of breweries in NZ there was a great selection to choose from whilst letting the kids enjoy the rides.

It was a beautiful day and Sam and I were just off the plane back from Wellington after a big night at the rugby with Australia beating USA 67-5.

Taste Nelson is held in the historic Founders Heritage Park.

At Founders Heritage Park you can experience life as it was in Nelson in the 1880s to 1930s. Set in character streets with shops as they were it is a trek back in time.

We enjoyed some great NZ scallops, Maori bread, fish, hot dogs and of course beer.
Breweries that were at Taste Nelson were;

• McCashins/Stoke Brewery 
• Bays Brewery 
• Moutere Inn 
• The Mussel Inn 
• Lighthouse Brewery 
• Duncan Founders Brewery 

I sampled beers from all but the Lighthouse Brewery. 5 hours is just not enough time ;-) The did have a great way of serving directly from their brewery wagon though (see below).

Whilst most of the beers were pretty mainstream the Feijoa Cider from Mussel Inn was very enjoyable.

With a Ferris Wheel, mini Hot Rod rides, face painting, jumping castle the kids had a blast.

Rugby 1870's Style

Today in Nelson as part of the Rugby World Cup celebrations there was a re-enactment of the first game of rugby played in NZ (the first recognised game of rugby played in New Zealand took place on Saturday, May 14, 1870 between a Nelson College side and the Nelson Football Club) at the same location (The Botanics).

The re-enactment started with a gathering of both teams at the Cathedral Steps at the top of Trafalgar Street and a haka from 1200 boys from Nelson Boys School.

A short walk to The Botanics and the game was on.

Nelson Boys and Nelson Rugby Club were both decked out in traditional uniforms. A traditional shaped ball was used for the most part the original rules played. Even the posts were manuka sticks.

A scum/maul consisting of the majority of the 18 members of each team happened quite often.

One handed throw into the lineouts (and uncontested as we know them).

There was even a streaker (in his onesy) that got arrested and put in the gallows.

It was a top entertaining event. Below is from the programme that details some of the original rules that would have been played in 1870.

Tonight we are off to some modern rugby with Italy vs Russia.