Things I Miss, Volume II

Perhaps this should really be called the Restaurant Edition, as with the early days of my last pregnancy, I seem incapable of cooking meat, chopping raw veggies, or summoning the energy to go get groceries most days. I know this will pass, but in the meanwhile, I can't help thinking of my favorite restaurants that do take-out.

• The Works, in particular, I dream of the M.E.C. burger with it's creamy avocado, sun-dried tomatoes, and yummy feta. I've tried to find a New Zealand substitute, but Burger Fuel (http://www.burgerfuel.com/flash.html), Wisconsin Burger (http://www.wisconsin.co.nz/index.html), and Velvet Burger can't compare.
• New Mee Fung, in particular #305 with BBQ Chicken. If I'm feeling especially decadent, I include non-deep fried pork spring rolls with Peanut Sauce. In a country full of Asian immigrants, I'm certain there must be a fabulous Vietnamese restaurant but I haven't found it yet.
• Pilos. Dave & I have both tried various versions of the New Zealand Chicken Souvlaki. We've been disappointed time and time again; One in Christchurch resembled chicken chili in a pita, complete with fork to aid eating, that's just wrong. Chicken Souvlaki should be simple, thick garlicky tzatziki with onions, tomatoes, and marinated chicken in a Greek pita. Period. Pilos does one heck of a simple, delicious Chicken Souvlaki.
• Sandrellas. Although one can find Kebab shops in every neighbourhood, I've not seen a Shawarma shop in all of New Zealand. I fondly look forward to a Chicken Shawarma on warm Cheese Pita when I return to work.

So, any takers for a lunch date? And Bobbi & Carmen, any chance of a Welcome Back Wafflefest? You can't go wrong with waffles, fresh fruit, blueberry coulis, and whipped cream!

It takes Two.

Marathon check. Baby next.

Naive, I know that now. Yet, I truly believed that it would be that easy. Although Dave was reluctant, he did appear committed in those early months and then, unbeknownst to me, began the New Zealand Effect. Dave didn't want a Kiwi baby, not that he doesn't like Kiwis, it was the fear of juggling a newborn, a three-year old, and a sleep-deprived wife in a foreign country with no family. Although I would continue trying, it would become painfully obvious that my attempts at trickery were no match for a man with the above fears.

Finally, as we entered December, he relented. He'd done the math, any babies conceived from here on in would be born back in the security of our Canadian Public Health Care System, with my Federal Government Maternity Benefits, and the help of wonderful family and friends. Our South Island vacation resulted not only in some fabulous memories and great pictures, but Baby Stachon is on their way. Finally ;-)

Seal Swim Kaikoura

A few years ago, Dave & I splurged to Swim with the Dolphins at Xel-Ha in Mexico. It was incredible, but, as I realize now, it must pale in comparison to swimming with dolphins in the wild. The little town of Kaikoura on the east coast of the South Island is a marine playground, it caters to the tourists with whale watching tours, dolphin watching tours, and swimming with the seals. As Seal Swim Kaikoura provided us with a sitter, we opted to give them our money and go for a swim.

Prior to heading out to sea, there was the glamorous exercise of putting on our borrowed wetsuits. Mine was a two piece one that I had difficulty getting the between the legs piece fastened, therefore, it was with great dignity that I walked out of the shop and down the block to board the bus - tight wetsuit with extra tail aswinging. Dave helped put me at easy with his Lookin' Good MoeMoe ;-) At the wharf, we were given the safety rules and the logic behind them. The most important of which was stay low in the water, seals judge threat based on stature so as long as we stayed low in the water they would become curious about us but not feel threatened by us.

As if to underline the differences in our two swimming experiences, the weather was gray, cold, and rainy while Mexico had been hot, blue, and sparkling. We bumped over the waves in our little boat, the envy of all with our borrowed wetsuit hoods zipped up to keep us warm. Our tour guide took us to a little creek formed by high tide on the rocky outposts of the seal colony, he instructed us to enter the water and then make our way slowly along the edge of the creek and then wait. The water was shockingly cold, as we made our way into the creek, I could watch the involuntary shivering of Dave's buttocks through his wetsuit.

On either side of the creek, we could see seals resting and playing. Now we waited, it wasn't long before the first seals slide off the rocks to frolic in the water ahead of us. It almost seemed as if they were trying to demonstrate their prowess compared to our uninspired creeping. Above us, we could hear seals posturing with loud grunts and chest thumping. I was terrified but intrigued. As the seals came closer, the urge to run was palpable. It was amazing to look a seal in the eyes underwater; as the first one swam by me I couldn't help but hold my breath. I never felt unsafe, but I never felt safe either. There was no doubt, these animals were wild. At one point, Dave and I looked up to find the seal on the rock above us baring his teeth - we sunk lower in the water, don't mind us. Eventually, the icy cold water forced us to slowly make our way back to the boat. As a matter of pride, the Canadians outlasted the Limeys in the water.

Dave & I agree, this is definitely a MUST DO when touring New Zealand.