Sydney, last and final stop!

Watergum Grove (where Michelle grew up)

'Cold' portion of Christmas dinner

Australian 'bug'

Carol a.k.a Ms. Van der Water cooking up the Chili bites.

Chili Bites

Koeksisters!

After traveling around aimlessly for a few weeks, I was happy to arrive in Sydney to meet and be with friends. Michelle grew up in Australia and moved to LA to pursue her dreams of being an actress. She was home for the holidays and was gracious enough to invite me to visit on the last leg of my trip. She’s very sucessful and you can view her stuff here. I was greeted at the airport by Michelle, her sister, Tanya, and brother in law Caesar, and was incredibly thankful not be bombarded by Vietnamese taxi drivers nor looking for signs that I had my name on it, but just friendly familiar faces.

Over the next few days, I’d lived like a Queen, drinking, eating, touring, relaxing, not having to worry about fending for myself or where I’d have to go next. We’d visit the gorgeous beaches around Sydney, played with Kangeroos, ate Kangeroo :), admire the Opera House, boat around the Sydney Harbor, buy fresh seafood at the Fish Market on Christmas day, and celebrated Boxing day watching cricket and Van der Water family videos.

My favorite day of the week was Christmas with Michelle’s family. Michelle grew up on the outskirts of Sydney in Stanwell Park, along the coast. She comments on how secluded it is but I beg to differ because their home is beautiful; amongst nature, exotic birds, trees, and the beach less than a mile from their doorstop. Carol (Ms.Van der Water) rents out the upstairs half of the home and I must say it felt like I was at a B&B during my stay there. Here is the link.

On Christmas day, Carol and Tanya put together an awesome spread of food that lasted the entire day. We started off eating at noon with appetizers of charcuterie, cheeses, nuts, chips, and crackers. Next was the ‘cold’ courses of the day, Shrimp, Oysters, Potato Salad, Greens, and the Aussie ‘Bug’ just for me. An hour later, we dove into the ‘hot’ courses of Lamb Curry, Roasted Chicken, and Fritatta. I have never been so stuffed before in my life! We digested by taking a walk on the nearby beach where the weather was 90 degrees and people were swimming and picniking. After, the last round of desserts; cheesecake, fresh fruit, and cupcakes, ugh, I needed a nap. But nope, we headed to the beach with wine where Michelle gave me a tour of her old 'hood.

It was a great week and there was lots of good, cultural, creative food. Sydney reminds me of a cross between New York and SF accept they have accents and are much laid back. There seemed to a be a slight influence of the British with their love tea, tea in the morning, tea in the afternoon, tea at night, also let’s not forget about the Fish n’ Chips sprinkled with ‘Chicken Flavor’. One of their specialty eats are ‘pies’ which New Zealanders picked up on.... filled with beef garnished with Ketchup. Sausage bake in puff pastry, another goodie.

There are tons of cultural eats, I hear they have the best Sushi in Sydney but we opted for Thai, African Barbecue, and even roasted duck in Chinatown. Since the Van der Waters are part South African, I got a glimpse of their food with home made Koeksisters and Chili bites. Then there is home cooking Aussie fare, Russel (Michelle’s brother) cooked Rissoles (beef patties) and vegetables with a Parmesan Cheese Bechamel and Michelle’s Dad with Grilled Oysters with Bacon.

Much thanks to the Van der Water and Michelle's friends for making the holidays not so lonely. After 5 weeks of traveling, Sydney was a nice ending but I was ready to get back home. 15 hours later, I was back in LA in Malibu watching the sunset. I do live the good life!!!

New Zealand, cont., Part II

Jean my New Zealand friend drove me to the airport to head up to Nelson, close to many famous 'tracks'. It was a pleasure to meet her as she put me up for a good night’s sleep before I would farm it up! The 2 hour flight was short and upon my arrival was greeted by rain and Warren, my WOOFing host for the next week and a half. The accommodations would be better this time, a double bed and even access to the internet. I failed to mention at the last spot, I had to walk a few miles to a pub to check emails!

Warren and Debbie had an organic Farm, gardens, 2 ostriches, 10 chickens and 50 sheep. They were also hosting another person, Hampus from Sweden. Luckily Hampus had a car and we’d take afternoons to explore the area and even had a chance to hike a track. Debbie cooked most meals and the first was Sheep Livers, Hearts, and Gravy. I really thought I liked everything but let’s just say, but this one was hard to swallow!

Debbie and Warren live very simply through their organic garden, trading their eggs for salmon, mussels, paua and other delicacies they can acquire. They sacrificed a few lambs a year and that could last them for awhile, utilizing every inch a.k.a. livers! I would learn to weed pull, prune roses, compost, and fascinating of all, shearing sheep. That’s right, the highlight was rounding up sheep and watching them sheared/shaved. The ‘shearer’ shaved 50 sheep in 2 hours. They looked like new animals without their wool and whole process was amazing. Warren explained to me that this happened about once year to air them out preventing any unwanted bacteria/fungus. Amongst the 50 sheep was one ram, who yes, was the Daddy to all the little lambs. In the whole lot, there were about 6 baby lambs, 15 young lambs (which are best for eating), and 30 sheep (Moms).

I cooked a few meals, Mexican, Thai; utilizing, sugar snap peas, Mesclun greens, new potatoes, carrots, sweet onions, garlic, and herbs from the garden. Hampus made Swedish meatballs one night. The best meal was Leg of Lamb from their herd. The lamb was different, the taste and texture, nothing like in the States. It was not too gamey but incredibly earthy, fresh and tender. Warren and Debbie were nice enough to take us out to their Social Club one evening, where we'd danced the night away to the Blues and enjoyed local New Zealand fare.

Hampus and I got explore Rabbit Island, went wine tasting and hiked the Abel Tasman trail with a few new friends, Jon and Martin also from Sweden. That was my favorite day, although the weather was not the best. Here I was hiking an 8 mile trail surrounded by flora, fauna and beaches, with new friends. On my last day, we drove to the ferry and we’d pass the famed Queen Charlotte track.

At last, I was ready to be on my own and took a beautiful 3 hour ferry ride across the Cook Strait to my next destination of Wellington. I’d spend the evening walking, exploring, and the next morning had a delicious european-esque meal (something I had yearned after 3 weeks of traveling); Lamb sausage on a french baguette with grainy mustard and pommes frites.

Overall, NZ was great but as I have aged, I realize, traveling by myself just ain’t the same anymore! The country is absolutely gorgeous so seeing and sharing it with friends would be ideal from hiking to wine tasting, natural beauty is everywhere! Their produce and ingredients were fresh and abundant but are prepared too simply compared to the US. I yearned to seek creative dishes but didn’t quite get that. The best moments were getting to know people of New Zealand. Their kindness reassured me that there is tons of good yet to be discovered in this world. Many thanks to all of my host familes and people I met along the way!