Pogácsa is the king of Hungarian savory pastries. These tasty, circular sour cream and cheese biscuits are relatively easy to make, especially if you knead the dough a day before, and let it rest in the fridge overnight. On the day of baking, you only have to spend time on shaping.
And the day has come! This was the final day of our epic journey through four countries: Australia, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, and New Zealand. We were traveling home.
Christchurch, the largest city on the South Island, has beautiful surroundings and a strong community spirit. Often referred to as the most English city in New Zealand. It’s a vibrant place with arts, modern architecture, heritage buildings, and lots of green spaces. There are no hills or steep inclines in its center, making it a very easily walkable city.
The unreal turquoise color of Lake Tekapo with the snow-covered peaks of the Southern Alps in the background, and adding to it the flowering colorful lupines along the shore – all this creates one of the most beautiful landscapes in the world. This was the setting for today.
We found ourselves in a little alpine town, Wanaka, in a stunning mountain and lakeside setting. Many tourists come here for the beauty of the region and for exploring the Southern Alps.
Written by my husband, Steve: In addition to the natural beauty of the South Island, we discovered we had also wandered into Tolkien’s Middle-earth.
It’s often described as the “Eighth Wonder of the World.” Towering cliffs, spectacular waterfalls, crystal-clear water – unsurpassed beauty. It’s mesmerizing. It’s a must-see.
Long drives, lots of rain, and a city for many outdoor activities. We were driving first to Oamaru, and from there to Queenstown.
Our discovery of the South Island of New Zealand started with driving along the shores of its picturesque east coast. The view of the Pacific Ocean offered many stunning views. We were heading to Kaikoura.
Today, we said our goodbyes to the North Island of New Zealand. We were crossing by ferry to Picton, the picturesque port town that welcomes visitors to the South Island.
When we were initially putting together our itinerary for New Zealand, its capital city wasn’t even on it. Then we changed our minds, and – in the end – visiting it didn’t disappoint. On the contrary, we liked very much what we experienced there.
Lake Okareka is a small lake on New Zealand’s North Island, 12 km south-east from Rotorua. It’s surrounded by picturesque hills and forests, and is off the beaten path of tourists. The lake is a place for recreation – swimming, boating, fishing – and on its shores lies a small rural settlement with lovely homes.