Our visit to the Seafood Cooking School was a great last experience in Auckland. Mark was a chef with lots of humour, but a good teacher. He showed us how to BBQ squid on a bruscheta topped with tomato and basil salsa as well as snapper coated with Moroccan spices combined with potatoes rosti and a tomato pesto. We did well, as you can see in the picture, and were rewarded for our efforts with a glass of white wine to accompany our food.
Next day, we took charge of our rental car – a 2003 automatic Nissan Sunny with 66,000 km on the clock. We headed north over Auckland Bridge to the BP station to buy our toll road tickets where we saw a lovely car (plus Koala), which we wanted to exchange for our Nissan Sunny (only kidding).
A long slog up Highway 1 to Whangerei was followed by a diversion to the coast with wonderful scenery on route, combined with amazingly twisty roads with steep gradients. I certainly had to keep focused on those roads, so I left the sightseeing to Linda when she could look out from behind her hands.
We eventually returned to Highway 1 and reached our journeys end – Point Veronica Lodge, Opua – just after 5 o’clock. Walking out onto the veranda with our hosts John and Audrey we were met with an amazing view (see picture). Yes we were in the Bay of Islands and yes it is paradise as we were to find out over the next two days.
Next day, we took charge of our rental car – a 2003 automatic Nissan Sunny with 66,000 km on the clock. We headed north over Auckland Bridge to the BP station to buy our toll road tickets where we saw a lovely car (plus Koala), which we wanted to exchange for our Nissan Sunny (only kidding).
A long slog up Highway 1 to Whangerei was followed by a diversion to the coast with wonderful scenery on route, combined with amazingly twisty roads with steep gradients. I certainly had to keep focused on those roads, so I left the sightseeing to Linda when she could look out from behind her hands.
We eventually returned to Highway 1 and reached our journeys end – Point Veronica Lodge, Opua – just after 5 o’clock. Walking out onto the veranda with our hosts John and Audrey we were met with an amazing view (see picture). Yes we were in the Bay of Islands and yes it is paradise as we were to find out over the next two days.
Hi guys. I can see that you are both enjoying the trip tremendously but I must say a warning for David wearing the shorts would have been appreciated. :)
ReplyDeleteAll sounds great, can't wait to be invited to a squid BBQ when you return!
ReplyDeleteThe B&B looks lovely, the view brings back wonderful memories.
Keep having fun.
Rita and Stephen
Sorry to hear that the weather in America was so bad, guess the weather in New Zealand has made up for it now. The Bay of Islands looks very picturesque, the view is very much like the one we had in Kaiteriteri. New Zealand certainly is a beautiful country. It was great that you were able to meet up with Debbie, Mark and co, I bet they were really pleased to see you both. The weather here has turned quite cold again, although we have had some nice sunshine(I must say we much prefer the sunshine and scenery in New Zealand, and we do miss Debbie, Mark and the boys - can't wait to go back again) Hope you continue to enjoy your trip and the weather stays good for you.
ReplyDeleteBye for now - Have fun!!!