Dunedin to Christchurch

 

This is yesterday's (Tuesday in New Zealand) post because I couldn't get my photos to download.  And it will be a short one. All we did was drive.  The scenery was spectacular, but it was a long day to sit in a car. I am not a good passenger.  By the time I get out, I want to run in twelve directions just to burn off sitting.

I was dying for one of those pasties, those savory pies that you find all over New Zealand.  Of course, there was no bakery to be found for miles and miles.  Finally, we stopped at a Chinese restaurant, and it was surprisingly good.  

Dennis had spicy ginger beef and fried rice.

I had vegetables over lo mein noodles.  Every order came with a cup of chicken and corn soup.  I have noticed that this soup is the preferred starter for Chinese restaurants in New Zealand.  I like it but not as much as hot and sour soup.

We stayed at a Victorian B & B called the Grange Boutique.  It was much prettier than my photo. It had a garden with many colorful flowers.

We walked down the street to a restaurant called Fiddlesticks.  We started with the bread appetizer, which consisted of two perfect slices of sourdough and two incredible slices of rosemary focaccia. I would beg in the streets for more of this bread. There was a small jar of halloumi butter to spread on the bread.  Halloumi is a famous cheese here in NZ.  Dennis had the grilled chicken salad Roquette, pear, and candied walnuts.  Roquette is arugula or rocket lettuce.  I think I ate half of the arugula.  My favorite salad of the trip.  I know it is a little weird, but the salad course is my favorite course.   If a restaurant doesn't have a good salad, I am probably not going to come back willingly.

I had Risotto with mushrooms, aged pecorino, balsamic, and walnuts.  It was lip-macking good, creamy, but not soupy. In New Zealand, walnuts are used frequently in entrees, and I like them in anything. We don't use nuts enough in savory dishes, they add an unexpected crunch.

So not the most interesting day to blog, but I love New Zealand.  Not only is the scenery spectacular, but the people are so nice, very friendly, and helpful.  

Until tomorrow - no worries!