New Zealand
Our New Zealand trip is just two weeks away! We booked the plane tickets quite awhile ago and the trip kind of crept up on us. I just booked our accommodations about a week ago and options were a bit slim so I'm hoping we don't get stuck in some hostel-esque situation. I'm too old for those. As usual, we've packed our 8 days on the South Island with plenty of exploring and activity. Our vacations aren't usually of the relaxing variety, which is fine by us! We'll sleep when we're dead. We plan to check out the Franz Josef Glacier, Lake Wanaka, Queenstown, Milford Sound, Lake Tekapo, Mount Cook, and a winery or two along the way. We haven't booked activities yet, but we are thinking a cruise on the Milford Sound is a must-do, and I kind of want to try the Shotover Jet in Queenstown. Mainly, we will just drive around and explore, as I've heard New Zealand is pretty much the most beautiful place in the world. And don't worry, I won't forget my selfie stick this time!DOC Pizza
As usual, we enjoyed some awesome food this weekend. On Friday we went north to Lygon Street for pizza at DOC. Lygon Street is known as the Italian part of the city, but the food can be hit or miss. It's a popular tourist area, so many of the restaurants are quite expensive but not necessarily that great. DOC is an exception. We ordered a salami pesto pizza and a margherita pizza and both were delicious. Zomato (formerly UrbanSpoon, which I liked much better) gave it a 4.2 rating, which is hard to come by!
My New Obsession
I am on a blueberry kick. When I was younger, I never understood why my dad thought of blueberries as a suitable dessert option. Ice cream? Yes. Fruit? No. However, I'm older and wiser and now very much agree that blueberries are the greatest thing in the entire world. Naturally, they're super expensive. Why can't I be obsessed with, like, apples? I feel like this happens a lot in life. I'll walk into a clothing store, pass a bunch of normal-priced things and then walk straight to the one item in the store that's a million dollars. Such is life. Anyway, here's what $4 got me:
Blog Update Coming!
I am in the process of updating my blog design, so stay tuned! I know absolutely nothing about computers and the one time I tried to make a small change to my blog layout I lost a bunch of pictures from old posts. So, I'm going to purchase a template on Etsy and have the seller install it, just to be safe. Exciting times!
I also dislike Zomato and I feel like everything on there has crappy reviews. Yay for New Zealand, so soon!!
ReplyDeleteSo true!! Plus I liked the percentage rating on Urban Spoon. I feel like it was more precise!
DeleteBlueberries make you smarter. Seriously. Apples are good for you too, though.
ReplyDeleteWell good thing because I've been eating them like candy!
DeleteJumping on the zomato-hating bandwagon, primarily because the name annoys me. And DOC is the best! I went to the one in Mornington a while back on a daytrip, only to find out there has been one right under our nose in Carlton this whole time!
ReplyDeleteThe name is terrible. Everything about it is terrible! I didn't even know DOC was a chain...it's soooo good.
DeleteBlueberries are super-cheap at Aldi. My daughters love them too.
ReplyDeleteReally! Good to know...I need to start shopping at Aldi more. I keep hearing about their good deals!
DeleteOh man, those pizzas look amazing!! It has been awhile since I have had pizza. Why are your blueberries so expensive?? I dont recall ever paying more than 2.99 or 3.99 for a decent size container. Ouch!
ReplyDeleteRight!! I have no idea why they are so expensive here. I don't know if they're hard to grow in Australia or what but I used to get huge containers at home for under $5 as well!
DeleteWe are going to the South Island in January for a week, so looking forward to your posts to pick up some tips! Also hate Zomato and refuse to download the app! And frozen blueberries are much cheaper!
ReplyDeleteSorry for all the exclamation marks (!)
DeleteWe are so excited! I should pick up some frozen blueberries...I'm going to go broke here shortly if I keep going through them at this rate :).
DeleteGood luck on your trip to NZ! I agree with all of your activities listed, but if you have a chance to take a Great Walk, I highly highly recommend them. They even offer guided walks ($$$) where you stay in lodges with hot showers and amazing food. The trek is worth it. We did the Routeburn and took 1400 pictures, none of which did the hike justice.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, you don't know me, but I'm binge reading your blog because my wife and I may be moving to Melbourne soon depending on a lot of variables. Thanks for all your updates on what regular life as a US Expat in Melbourne, Australia is like. Cheers!
Thanks for reading my blog! We are soooo excited for New Zealand- the Great Walk idea sounds amazing. I really hope you and your wife have the chance to move to Melbourne...it's the most fabulous city in the world!
ReplyDelete