Today we spent most of our time tasting wines and other adult beverages from the region. Suffice it to say, we parked Culli and ventured off without the aid of a motor vehicle. Bicycles were our mode of transportation for most of the day, and it was a blast! Keep in mind that the three of us have not exerted more effort than that taken to tip a beer glass for the past week, and getting on bikes and riding into a day-long headwind seemed like a good idea until we actually started. If it hadn't been for the never ending glass of wine waiting for us at every stop, we probably would have given up quite early in the day. As it turned out, we tasted at 10 different wineries (I had boldly predicted we wouldn't make it past 4 ... I was thankfully wrong). The bikes we were riding were courtesy of the backpackers we are staying in tonight - Watson's Way Backpackers. If you ever visit this region, this is the place to stay. Our hosts, Pat and Paul, are the most gracious and accommodating folks we have met on the island. They set us up with a powered spot for Culli and a tent space for Scott (yes we make him sleep outside:)

Our day was enriched by the chance meeting of a young Canadian couple who are on holiday from Australia and were taking the same bike tour we were and happened to be staying at the same backpackers we were. After meeting them at two different wineries, it became apparent that we were after the same goal. To taste as many wines as we could before our rental bikes were due back! I would have to say we succeeded:)

I'm not ready to rave about any specific wines we tasted, but in general the white wines here are quite good and they have a lot of production and vintners that are putting a lot of energy into making good wine. I prefer big red wines, or a nice full bodied ale, but it was an enjoyable day nonetheless. Perhaps the biggest surprise of the day came at a place named Prenzels. They make Schnapps and other distilled liquors. To our complete shock, they have a tequila 'Made in New Zealand'! Of course they import the ingredients from Mexico, but they ferment and bottle it here so it carries a made in New Zealand label. Just look at the photo if you don't believe me:)

Tomorrow we head off to Kaikura along the east coast. This is a wonderful town on a peninsula that is packed with marine life. I plan to spend time in or on the water with more dolphins, seals, or whatever else shows up. This time of year Orcas are commonly seen.

Keepin' my fingers crossed for good photos.

Eric & Val