Down Under Diary

The daily diary of a wandering restaurateur Down Under
November 9 - Papamoa

Today was not a restaurant day. Norm and Shirley took us on a walk around Mt. Maunganui, the old volcano at the entrance to Tauranga Bay. It was a pleasant hour's hike. The mountain sits right at the end of the spit of land that forms part of the protection for the Bay and is an extension of the beach that Norm & Shirley live near.

While Margene and Shirley prowled the local shops, Norm and I did some extensive research at one of the local pubs, evaluating the local brews and watching a little Sunday Night Football (live . . . on Monday afternoon!) It was the first football I have seen since we left and it looked a little strange after local sports highlights that seem to focus on cricket!

Norm and Shirley prepared dinner for us - tua tua fritters (a plentiful local shellfish), baked chicken and kumara, a sweet potato-like vegetable accompanied by White Cloud, a medium dry white wine that is the sort of thing that Margene likes . . . and which went quite well with the meal. All in all, a nice change of pace from the restaurant scene.

For photos of Mt. Maunganui, the Holdens and all, click here.

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