Thoughts beyond my life & my travel - Bel

Thai cuisine is very popular in New Zealand and can be super spicy. Restaurants' menus tend to be  quite small. Simply a range of starters and stir-fry dishes are offered. I cannot find any Thai desserts or vegetables. The dishes are prepared with local ingredients and are tailored to the strong Kiwi palate. I found Malaysian satay at a fast food joint. The choice of dishes is simple and is what I was looking for in Asian food.  The Korean offerings seem more authentic. My friend and I visited a family-run restaurant in the Asian area of Christchurch. I love the starters these restaurants serve with lots of vegetables. The Korean stone pot rice bowl was hot and yummy, the rice could be a bit crispier from the heat. The beef stew tasted fantastic.  Most Chinese restaurants serve a mix of Sichuan, Guangdong, and Shanghai dishes. Some combine them with Western dishes to appeal to less adventurous customers. I am a bit confused by the fried noodles, which are not the typical ...

The weather is so unpredictable in New Zealand. In the morning and at night it can be below 10°C,  while in the afternoon it is hot like summer at 26°C. The wind direction plays a big role when it comes to the actual temperature. The forecast said 17°C, but I was wrapped head to toe in winter clothes on this summer day.   The sun is always so bright that sunglasses have become essential. If you put your feet in the water on the beach, it is not so bad, but the further you go towards the sea, the colder it gets and the waves get bigger.  In late spring, the temperatures are usually perfect for having a coffee and eating outdoors. Find a beautiful lake, a farm overlooking with snowy mountains, a beach, a pier, or even a park, to lie down and stretch those aching muscles. Bring some chairs to your favourite garden, sit down with a friend and happily have a bite of good sandwiches, apples, and cheese.  I enjoy the luxury of being so close to nature on my travels. It...

  The agriculture show resumed in Christchurch, New Zealand after a two-year hiatus. This show has put a lot of emphasis on sustainability with its online advertising although the plastic cups and plates have not yet been replaced with better solutions. However, the organiser claimed that they sourced local and climate-friendly partners, used recycled and decomposted materials as much as possible, and of course donated materials to the community after the show.  I'm glad to lear that such efforts were made to protect the environment.  I absolutely love saying hello to a variety of sheep, cattle, and horses at the show. The food stalls were of great variety and good quality. The selection was excellent throughout the day. There were lots of fun competitions such as gumboot throwing, wood chopping, and educational stalls on recycling aimed at families and serious workers. I hope there will be more shuttle buses and signages in the future.

My friend kept giving me useful tips on how to look out for rich farmers in New Zealand. Pay attention to the cars they drive, how many acres of land they own, and very small details. No wonder there is a reality show in Australia where girls compete to win a farmer's heart.  I've found that farmers in New Zealand are respected as much as other professions. There are a large number of farmers in this country. With the diverse landscape, farming seems to be the jewel of New Zealand. Sheep farming, cattle farming and dairy farming are all  major contributors to the country's GDP. These farms can be run with specialised technology, so that their yields can be increased without compromising quality. Kiwis are proud of their local products and like to support local businesses. Australia is their competitor but the two countries remain on friendly terms. Hong Kong has imported quite a few avocados from Australia. Kiwi avocados are rarely seen, but some top quality free-range orga...