Kiwi Fruit's

No I'm not referring to the New Zealand Gay scene, I'm talking about the little brown fury on the outside and lovely and juicy green on the inside fruits. As you no doubt know this is where Kiwis come from, although they did apparently originate in China (Chinese Gooseberry) They are BIG business over here and it is a billion dollar industry for NZ. We have just driven through a place called Te Puke, which is the Kiwi (fruit) capital of NZ, there are literally acres of fields growing them. A lot of Backpackers work for the farmers picking them allegedly. Me and Matt would love to help out but I'm afraid working is not on our list of things do to ;-)

Yesterday we went to visit Mount Maunganui, in the Bay of Plenty. We weren't expecting anything other than quite a large mountain and a bit of beach, so it was just going to be a bit of a stop off en route to Rotrura, but when we got there the sun was shining and the beach was stunning with a campsite right beside it, so we decided to park up and stay the night. That really is the beauty of having your own accommodation in the back, if you like somewhere that much then you can just decide to stay. We then climbed up the mountain (see pics) which was an absolute killer, just a constant climb for about 40 minutes, we were gasping when we reached the top. It was worth the pain though as the views across the Pacific were stunning, and the coastline you could see for miles.

We have being having some top notch gourmet camper van grub since we've been on the road, I cooked a cracking vegi Chili the other night, we've also had a vindaloo and rice(!) and some great pasta dishes, it's surprising what you can muster up with limited resource, although a 3 ring gas stove with grill and a microwave oven is hardly call for improvising is it??

The camp sites are really well equipped in NZ, they have great showers with 24 hour hot water (unlike Sth America where your lucky to get 2 hours of hot water!) the kitchens are fully equipped with hobs, ovens, microwaves, fridge freezers and toasters and are really clean. There are on site laundry rooms with iron and board (again though I didn't come away to iron!!) The point I'm trying to make (to all you non campers) is camping is not about "roughing it" like it was years ago. There is so much hi tech camping equipment you can buy now and so many on site facilities that it really is like home from home, but with the bonus of being in the great outdoors and in touch with nature ;-)

There seems to be an unwritten rule of the road here in NZ for camper drivers, in that they all give each other that knowing nod as they pass on the road, as if we all have some great secret that only caravaners know about!! he he.

Geeks ;o)