Documenting Adventures and Food and Stuff : November 2013

New Zealand Parks Rock

This past weekend Lucas and I went with a couple friends to the Chocolate Fish Café in Maupuia. We finished the day with a trip to Central Park in the Wellington neighborhood of Brooklyn.

Chocolate Fish Café

An Ice Coffee in New Zealand is a Shot of Espresso with Ice Cream and Marshmallow

Central Park - Brooklyn

Spin At Your Own Risk

Guy Fawkes Night - November 5th

The Guy Fawkes's persona has evolved so much over time. He started off as some kind of religious terrorist who tried to blow parliament in order to get rid of a protestant king and over time has (at least for some people) developed into a symbol for revolution. I asked many people here in New Zealand what they thought Guy Fawkes Night meant to them and the answers were split. The holiday is either celebrated because the gun powder plot of 1605 failed and the king's life was spared or that Guy Fawkes is a guy who stood up to the monarchy (which he really didn't).

What it really means now: a night to blow up some gun powder, make effigies, and set off fireworks. Lucas and I rented a kayak and paddled to center of Wellington Harbor with the Yakity Yak Kayak Club for a great view of the city's fireworks show.

The City the Base of Mt. Taranaki

According to Māori mythology, Mt. Taranaki once resided in the middle of the North Island, with all the other New Zealand volcanoes. The beautiful Pihanga was coveted by all the mountains, and a great battle broke out between them. Mt. Tongariro eventually won the day, inflicted great wounds on the side of Taranaki, and causing him to flee. Taranaki headed westwards, following Te Toka a Rahotu (the Rock of Rahotu) and forming the deep gorges of the Whanganui River, paused for a while, creating the depression that formed the Te Ngaere swamp. When Taranaki conceals himself with rainclouds, he is said to be crying for his lost love, and during spectacular sunsets, he is said to be displaying himself to her. In turn, Mt. Tongariro's eruptions are said to be a warning to Mt. Taranaki not to return

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After our canoeing adventure, we traveled further north to the town of New Plymouth which lies at the base of Mt. Taranaki. New Plymouth is a sleepy beach side town rich both Maori and Pakeha (people of European descent) history. We spent our time here enjoying take out food, biking along the beach and being just plain lazy. It was hard to leave New Plymouth, it reminded me so much of Santa Cruz and the bay area - it has definitely earned a top spot on my list of NZ places to see.
*Side note, another trip highlight, the park in Wanganui.