January 5, 2025 - Wanaka

Today was another loaded with unexpected and delightful pleasures.

We decided to allow ourselves a day to sleep in and relax.  We did the first, and, well, missed the last.  On second thought, we decided that while we are exhausted, we feel very relaxed!


For our golfing friends, Wanaka has some beautiful courses.

Mel went to the gym and Jody went for a five mile run which turned into a 7-mile run after getting lost on her way back.  After refreshing, we thought we would do a casual walk.  Our guidebook said it was an easy 1.5 hours round trip walk.  Considering we are in pretty good shape, this hike went straight uphill for 45 minutes in the mid-afternoon heat.  Gorgeous, but hot and truly a workout!









So, to reward ourselves, we stopped at a fabulous bakery called Pembroke Patisserie and indulged.  Goodies, including Mel’s favorite - almond croissants, (they rival B Patisserie!) were incredible!





We then went to Maude Winery and enjoyed an hour chatting with a young couple from Manhattan who also like to travel and thinking about retiring in NZ!  Wines were great and Jody convinced Mel to buy a few bottles.  Guess who will be hauling them home?  🍷



(Just don’t tell Mel how many bottles “we” got!)



Food Time!!!!

Dinner was great…another tasting room, Wild Earth Wines.  The restaurant itself is called the Stoaker Room.  New fact I hope Glenn S will appreciate:  What is a Stoaker you say?  It is a versatile cooking system in a rustic converted wine barrel.  Designed for natural ingredients, oak and steam combine to create delicious feasts, made for sharing.  According to their website, “Though it has similar functions to a BBQ, it isn’t just a BBQ grill or oven, nor is it just a smoker.  It combines all of these cooking techniques into a versatile system that delivers a unique style of food.”  We thought so too.





Tomorrow, back to Pembroke and then wine tasting at 11am at Rippon Winery.  Then head back to Queenstown!
Love from NZ, Jody and Mel




Comments

  1. Glenn SJanuary 9, 2025 at 10:57 AM

    Not sure how they cook on a Stoaker without it igniting, but the idea is nifty. Oak smoke good!

    ReplyDelete

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