Comments on: New Zealand: What’s Hot and What’s Not

By: Denise

Denise — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 09:06:28 +0000

Next time why don’t you come to the North Island. Great food, less adventure tourism, more New Zealanders of all shades, more culture, and the scenery is pretty good too :-)

By: Alastair Bland

Alastair Bland — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 22:38:03 +0000

Hi Elizabeth – Thanks for the thoughts. I know – and knew – that farmers markets are present in New Zealand since I saw many signs advertising them. But usually they were billed as half-day or morning-to-noon affairs, once weekly, and I never did come across one in action.

And I’m relieved to hear that locals like yourself aren’t exactly “stoked” about the New Zealand tourism industry. Yes: Tramping, a.k.a. hiking, quickly removes one from all the commotion. So does cycling into the mountains – even though we may have to backtrack to get out again!

Until my next Kiwi tour,
Alastair

By: Elizabeth

Elizabeth — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 22:25:30 +0000

I am an American ex-pat living in Dunedin. I just returned home from our wonderful all year Farmers’ Market. Did you actually ask any one where and when these are? They are numerous. I agree the best part of NZ is the undiscovered southeast portion– right here! As for the roads, the last thing we want is moe through roads. You can’t have your cake and eat it too.

There is very good cafe food to be had in NZ, but many of the main street FOOD places are appalling indeed. Again, you have to look, ask, or make your own.

Ignore the tourism hype. Go tramping.

Racism– yes, it exists, but not everywhere. My work place is the United Nations.

Sheep, what can one say. They are grass fed and not raised by corporations. A country does need some sort of economic base besides tourism!