Memorial Weekend Moments

Not my photos (still waiting for my laptop), but some good views of the Kapiti Coast. The Main Street view of shops is Paekakariki.

www.backpack-newzealand.com/ni-gallery/kapiti-coast

(click on slide show)


One would never know that it's Memorial Day Weekend although we've certainly got the weather for it. Sunny skies and lunch out on the deck overlooking the ocean. No snow on the ground here, mates, despite being the equivilant of late November on the calendar. of course there are no holiday picnics yet, but we are eagerly anticipating the Queen's Birthday Celebration next weekend - our first holiday in NZ this trip. We are, indeed, as far from the US and its holidays as we can be without coming back the other way. Surprisingly the US makes a very small footprint here on the Kapiti Coast. There are few products with a "made in the USA" label, but then, I guess that's the case in the States too. No California wines here......just New Zealand and Australian varieties. The other Grandfather tells me there are only 5 million people, and they produce all the wine they can drink. May be. Lots of goods made in Pakistan. Saw some American asparagus and some expensive California strawberries in the supermarket but not much else. California raisins, and Coca Cola made in Australia. Where is the Frito-Lay aisle??? Mostly local products......Kiwis eat what they grow. Kapiti Coast cheeses, grass-fed beef, lamb, lamb, lamb, and kumara (look that one up!). Fords are plentiful in the parking lots(in fact, we're driving one), but they're not made in Detroit.

Speaking of Detroit......the Pistons better play the Spurs......that's the only way we'll get to see any of the games! It's enough to force a mate to become a rugby fan. Don't get me started....however, ladies, the players do wear short shorts and no padding....hmmmm....well, must concentrate on my gazillion dollar view....with a glass of New Zealand sauvignon blanc, of course. Life is good.