Auckland Day Out: Lunch at Soljans Winery, Buying Macadamia’s, Plucking Blueberries and Shelly Beach
My second day in Auckland was spent with Dahl, a lovely friend who I met a many moons ago.
The last time Dahl and I met was more than 10 years ago, perhaps 12 years even, in Gouda, Netherlands. I cannot anymore recall the exact year and month. It's been that long. I think it was the time before I started blogging, which was 2004. Or perhaps it was on this year. Oh dear, I cannot believe I am still blogging after all these years, haha.
I did assure Dahl that I will visit her someday and that I will pop up on her side of the world and she can show me her place. Well, life has its own twists of fate. Who would have known that my sister will move to New Zealand? Not in a thousand years I guess. It only made my visit, even more, faster than planned!
So when I have booked my ticket to New Zealand, I quickly messaged Dahl that I am set to go. She promised to show me around and oh boy, she did!
Dahl lives in the northern part of Auckland while my sister in the southern part. SisterJ told me not to worry about logistics because she can lend her car to me for the days that I would like to go around on my own and when I meet Dahl. Thank goodness, that's a major logistical problem solved. I was already thinking of renting a car for just a few days. So, for now, all I need to think of is to get used to driving on the other side of the road.
Lunch at Soljans Estate Winery
So Dahl and I decided to meet halfway. It was her suggestion that we see each other at Soljans Estate Winery and have lunch.
Meeting around lunchtime was good because I was still going through the jetlag phase, although it wasn't that much of a problem to me. Before New Zealand, I was in Shanghai, China for a few days and barely recovering from the European time zone. Many people will not realise this but the flying distance from Shanghai to Auckland is similar from Shanghai to Amsterdam!
Anyway, finding the place was quite easy as it is located on the highway. When I arrived, Dahl was already waiting for me in the parking lot. She was a very early bee and with her, she brought some welcome NZ goodies! Thanks =)
It has been such a long time since we last saw each other. We had a very nice catch up while munching on our lunch and tasting the local wine. I had Fish n Chips, which I learned is very popular in the country, while she had some tuna on toast. Dahl just recently retired and she's very excited to show me her new (retirement) house that she's building on the farm that she used to live in with her late husband. She's showing it to me later at the end of the day.
This is our lunch:
After lunch, I went down to check the basement cellar, well, I just took a peek really because you need an appointment or a tour in order to go inside. We are not doing this as we have other plans for the day. We also looked into their shop and their wine stock but we didn't make any purchase at all. Well, Dahl brought an Oyster Bay white wine for me which I will be bringing with me to our road trip the next day.
We then wandered a bit in the garden and along the vineyards at the back. We only saw a small part of the vineyard estate and Dahl reminded me that I will see more of the vineyards in the country during our road trip. We are passing the Marlborough Region in South Island which is hailed as the wine country of New Zealand. I am getting excited already!
Buying Macadamia’s at MacNut
So the next item on Dahl's agenda was to bring me to a macadamia farm and shop. She said it's not too far away and I will just have to follow her by car. This will be my first time at a macadamia shop. I love the nut.
We exited the highway and we were going through snaky and more narrower roads. I had to keep up with Dahl who was driving quite fast after all this is her territory and I am still getting used to driving on the other side of the road. Then we arrived at the Macnut Farms in Helensville which is a macadamia orchard with a shop and a cafe. I am not sure if the orchard is open to the public but I noticed a path going down to a clearing. We were only dropping by to buy some macadamia nuts.
Dahl bought a few huge packs of natural and salted macadamia nuts for me. That was very sweet of her.
When I was a kid, I have always thought that macadamia nuts were from Hawaii. This is because of the macadamia chocolate presents I received as a kid were made in Hawaii. Those were very good actually, the chocolate just melts in your mouth and the macadamia nut combination was just perfect. I remember looking forward to receiving those presents and sneaking a chocolate or two every now and then. #whoatethechocolate #donttel
I also managed to buy a few packs to bring home and give to my sister and the rest of my family.
They were selling natural macadamia nuts, there were salted ones, other options were nuts covered in milk chocolate and dark chocolate. I bought a mix of everything.
We were also thinking of having coffee here but the atmosphere wasn't that very inviting, and Dahl had another plan. She wants to bring me to a blueberry farm! She said it's just nearby. Now, that's super cool because I have never been to one.
Plucking Blueberries
So Dahl made a quick phone call with the Blueberry Farm to make sure we do not come uninvited, and voila, in a few minutes, we were on our way! It helps when you know people and that was the case with Dahl on this farm.
I wasn't expecting a modern farm with shelter but I guess this is how you grow blueberries throughout the year.
It wasn't blueberry harvesting season at this farm yet. It was May and we are shy of 2 months before harvesting starts but some of the bushes were already bearing fruit. When this happens they must pluck the ripe blueberries to give way for the plant to bear more blossoms for the upcoming harvest season in July to August.
I guess this is part of the pruning activity, They must harvest the early riped blueberries to save their harvesting season. So we were in luck because we can pluck =)
Dahl was quick to lead me the way after we were told which area to start. The blueberries here were quite huge in size, plump and juicy. I did some tasting and I find them quite sweet, the good enough sweet that doesn't make you cringe. I don't like too sweet fruits. Well, we managed to fill a small bucket to bring home.
Well, I found out during this visit that there are many types of blueberries which are actually shrubs or bushes. It was my first time to actually see a blueberry plant. I have always thought it was a tree. Now with each type of blueberry, there are naturally sub-varieties as well.
Coffee at Shelly Beach
After the visit to the blueberry farm, we drove to nearby Shelly Beach.
Shelly Beach is actually a reserve located on a secluded inlet just off the Kaipara Harbour. The surroundings here are native bushlands and the main beach itself is not that big. There is a long jetty where people can do fishing activities on and it has also its own resident cafe restaurant with ample parking.
May is already off (beach) season as it is late autumn in New Zealand so the beaches are not really the place where people go to and hang out.
Our next stop is Dahl's farm. Stay tuned.
Travel Period: May 2018
Destination: Auckland, New Zealand
Keep in touch and follow me on Facebook: Travel & Lifestyle Diaries by Dutched Pinay Travels
Happy Travels! Enjoy Life =)
All pictures were taken by a point and shoot pocket camera or a smartphone.
Our lunch at Soljans Estate Winery. I am feeling lucky with my fish n chips.
Shelly Beach on the Kaipara Harbour in North Auckland.
The last time Dahl and I met was more than 10 years ago, perhaps 12 years even, in Gouda, Netherlands. I cannot anymore recall the exact year and month. It's been that long. I think it was the time before I started blogging, which was 2004. Or perhaps it was on this year. Oh dear, I cannot believe I am still blogging after all these years, haha.
I did assure Dahl that I will visit her someday and that I will pop up on her side of the world and she can show me her place. Well, life has its own twists of fate. Who would have known that my sister will move to New Zealand? Not in a thousand years I guess. It only made my visit, even more, faster than planned!
Entrance to Soljans Estate Winery.
So when I have booked my ticket to New Zealand, I quickly messaged Dahl that I am set to go. She promised to show me around and oh boy, she did!
Dahl lives in the northern part of Auckland while my sister in the southern part. SisterJ told me not to worry about logistics because she can lend her car to me for the days that I would like to go around on my own and when I meet Dahl. Thank goodness, that's a major logistical problem solved. I was already thinking of renting a car for just a few days. So, for now, all I need to think of is to get used to driving on the other side of the road.
Lunch at Soljans Estate Winery
So Dahl and I decided to meet halfway. It was her suggestion that we see each other at Soljans Estate Winery and have lunch.
Moi and Dahl souvenir picture.
Meeting around lunchtime was good because I was still going through the jetlag phase, although it wasn't that much of a problem to me. Before New Zealand, I was in Shanghai, China for a few days and barely recovering from the European time zone. Many people will not realise this but the flying distance from Shanghai to Auckland is similar from Shanghai to Amsterdam!
Anyway, finding the place was quite easy as it is located on the highway. When I arrived, Dahl was already waiting for me in the parking lot. She was a very early bee and with her, she brought some welcome NZ goodies! Thanks =)
It has been such a long time since we last saw each other. We had a very nice catch up while munching on our lunch and tasting the local wine. I had Fish n Chips, which I learned is very popular in the country, while she had some tuna on toast. Dahl just recently retired and she's very excited to show me her new (retirement) house that she's building on the farm that she used to live in with her late husband. She's showing it to me later at the end of the day.
This is our lunch:
Tuna mayo salad on cucumbers and a toast sitting on a sweet balsamic vinegar.
My fish and chips with salad greens and bearnaise sauce. The fish was crunchy and so fresh.
Our lunch table.
After lunch, I went down to check the basement cellar, well, I just took a peek really because you need an appointment or a tour in order to go inside. We are not doing this as we have other plans for the day. We also looked into their shop and their wine stock but we didn't make any purchase at all. Well, Dahl brought an Oyster Bay white wine for me which I will be bringing with me to our road trip the next day.
We then wandered a bit in the garden and along the vineyards at the back. We only saw a small part of the vineyard estate and Dahl reminded me that I will see more of the vineyards in the country during our road trip. We are passing the Marlborough Region in South Island which is hailed as the wine country of New Zealand. I am getting excited already!
Isn't this such a cute little playhouse?
Buying Macadamia’s at MacNut
So the next item on Dahl's agenda was to bring me to a macadamia farm and shop. She said it's not too far away and I will just have to follow her by car. This will be my first time at a macadamia shop. I love the nut.
We exited the highway and we were going through snaky and more narrower roads. I had to keep up with Dahl who was driving quite fast after all this is her territory and I am still getting used to driving on the other side of the road. Then we arrived at the Macnut Farms in Helensville which is a macadamia orchard with a shop and a cafe. I am not sure if the orchard is open to the public but I noticed a path going down to a clearing. We were only dropping by to buy some macadamia nuts.
This is the macadamia fruit and it looks like a guava.
The outdoor cafe terrace overlooking the macadamia orchard.
Dahl bought a few huge packs of natural and salted macadamia nuts for me. That was very sweet of her.
When I was a kid, I have always thought that macadamia nuts were from Hawaii. This is because of the macadamia chocolate presents I received as a kid were made in Hawaii. Those were very good actually, the chocolate just melts in your mouth and the macadamia nut combination was just perfect. I remember looking forward to receiving those presents and sneaking a chocolate or two every now and then. #whoatethechocolate #donttel
I also managed to buy a few packs to bring home and give to my sister and the rest of my family.
They were selling natural macadamia nuts, there were salted ones, other options were nuts covered in milk chocolate and dark chocolate. I bought a mix of everything.
We were also thinking of having coffee here but the atmosphere wasn't that very inviting, and Dahl had another plan. She wants to bring me to a blueberry farm! She said it's just nearby. Now, that's super cool because I have never been to one.
The path leading to the orchard I guess, that goes to a small clearing.
Milk chocolate covered macadamia nuts. The chocolate was quite hard though, something Macnuts can probably improve on.
Plucking Blueberries
So Dahl made a quick phone call with the Blueberry Farm to make sure we do not come uninvited, and voila, in a few minutes, we were on our way! It helps when you know people and that was the case with Dahl on this farm.
I wasn't expecting a modern farm with shelter but I guess this is how you grow blueberries throughout the year.
We were told we can pick! Yes!
It wasn't blueberry harvesting season at this farm yet. It was May and we are shy of 2 months before harvesting starts but some of the bushes were already bearing fruit. When this happens they must pluck the ripe blueberries to give way for the plant to bear more blossoms for the upcoming harvest season in July to August.
I guess this is part of the pruning activity, They must harvest the early riped blueberries to save their harvesting season. So we were in luck because we can pluck =)
Dahl was quick to lead me the way after we were told which area to start. The blueberries here were quite huge in size, plump and juicy. I did some tasting and I find them quite sweet, the good enough sweet that doesn't make you cringe. I don't like too sweet fruits. Well, we managed to fill a small bucket to bring home.
Well, I found out during this visit that there are many types of blueberries which are actually shrubs or bushes. It was my first time to actually see a blueberry plant. I have always thought it was a tree. Now with each type of blueberry, there are naturally sub-varieties as well.
Wehee! I can bring this home =), Well, I am taking this with me in our road trip. Our home mobile van has a little fridge and we will find ways to fit them in.
They are gorgeous, plump and succulent.
Coffee at Shelly Beach
After the visit to the blueberry farm, we drove to nearby Shelly Beach.
Shelly Beach is actually a reserve located on a secluded inlet just off the Kaipara Harbour. The surroundings here are native bushlands and the main beach itself is not that big. There is a long jetty where people can do fishing activities on and it has also its own resident cafe restaurant with ample parking.
May is already off (beach) season as it is late autumn in New Zealand so the beaches are not really the place where people go to and hang out.
We are having coffee here at the only cafe restaurant on the beach.
Fishing is allowed on this beach but there are strict local guidelines and specific restrictions apply. So yeah, you can definitely fish here for meal consumption or just for hobby purposes.
The long jetty on Shelly Beach, Kaipara Harbour.
My sister's SUV that I loaned for the outing.
Oysters sticking to the rocks on the beach.
Our next stop is Dahl's farm. Stay tuned.
Travel Period: May 2018
Destination: Auckland, New Zealand
Keep in touch and follow me on Facebook: Travel & Lifestyle Diaries by Dutched Pinay Travels
Happy Travels! Enjoy Life =)
All pictures were taken by a point and shoot pocket camera or a smartphone.
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