| Posted by Ian Country: New Zealand Region: Nelson Website: www.anatokisalmon.co.nz Date: 24th August 2006 |
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Location: Drive North from Christchurch 6 Hours. Nelson and surrounds.
Nelson and Surrounds.
If anyone is wondering what to do with children in New Zealand I would highly recommend a visit to Nelson at the northern tip of the south island. It is a comfortable and interesting 6 Hours drive north from Christchurch (with a lunch break and several scenery stops). It is also just across the bay by ferry from Wellington should you wish to come that way. Along the way we saw a seal colony just by the roadside and enjoyed our very first fresh Lobster Sandwich (just $5NZ – what a bargain).
We went to stay with friends in Nelson and we are so glad that we did. They live
in a beautiful house right on top of the hill so the 270 degree view over Nelson
from their deck is absolutely wonderful. While we were there we went for a day
trip out to Golden bay, which is about 90 minutes drive away.
Along the way we stopped at Hawkes lookout which has beautiful views of the farmland and mountains back towards Nelson. On the other side of Takaka Hill there is another lookout called Eureka Bend which looks out over Golden Bay and the winding road that you have to traverse to get there.
The absolute highlight of our day was visiting the Salmon farm called Anatoki Salmon. http://www.anatokisalmon.co.nz/ Here you are allowed to use a rod and reel to fish for your own Salmon in the Fisheries’ ponds. What a buzz, getting a 1 kilo Salmon on the end of your line for the fist time. For my wife and daughter it was their first time fishing ever! Seeing the smiles on their faces was the best feeling imaginable. Everybody caught a fish and boy did we have a feast that night.
Just driving along the road through farmland we saw a cow about to give birth. We stopped and our seven year old daughter was treated to one of life’s amazing experiences right there. We all stood quietly and watched as the calf was born before our very eyes.
We spent the afternoon leisurely exploring Takaka Museum and Gallery and wandering on Tata Beach, which is known for its’ golden sand. A leisurely drive back over the hill saw us in Nelson in time to cook the biggest feast of seafood
that you could ever desire.
The menu went approximately like this:
Couple scotch and cokes/beers.
Fresh Crusty Bread, thickly buttered,
New Zealand Mussels cooked in a rich Italian tomato sauce.
Our freshly caught Salmon, filleted and served under a creamy dill sauce with steamed veggies on the side.
Lobster served with a fresh garden salad and mustard dressing. (It was the biggest Lobster I have ever seen).
Lemon Meringue Pie. At this point we were all officially too fat to move.
