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Festive New Zealand

New Zealand is a land in the far south where immigrant cultures were grafted onto a Polynesian landscape. This makes for a colourful culture replete with festivals of all kinds. There are festivals marking special days in the country’s colonial history, events that celebrate the indigenous Polynesian culture and still others that commemorate New Zealand’s rich agricultural traditions.

New Zealand celebrates its history on the last Monday in January with the Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta. This colourful, nautical event commemorates the arrival of Captain Hobson in New Zealand when he founded the city of Auckland.

The Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta dates back to 1840 which makes it the country’s oldest sporting event. Predating the Americas Cup by 11 years, the Auckland Anniversary Regatta draws around 400 competing boats each year.

New Zealand’s Polynesian roots are celebrated at the Pasifika Festival held at Auckland’s Western Springs Stadium in March. The event celebrates the art, culture and lifestyle of the South Pacific through music and other performances.

First produced by Auckland City Council in 1993, Pasifika has grown over the years and now attracts more than 225000 visitors who come to enjoy the work of hundreds of performers from the Auckland region as well as the Pacific area.

The event kicks off on a Friday night with an opening concert from Air New Zealand. The main event starts of the Saturday and comprises around 300 food and craft stalls.

A popular addition to Pasifika was made in 1999 in the form of cultural villages. These showcase unique aspects of various Pacific Island communities. Each village presents a traditional and contemporary programme including music, dancing, workshops, and food.

In 2008, Wellington introduced its own Pasifika featuring exhibitors from Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, Tuvalu, the Cook Islands, Tokelau and Niue displaying traditional handicrafts such as embroidery, weaving, shell jewellery and wood carving.

Agriculture is at the heart of the New Zealand economy so it’s no wonder that one of the country’s most important festivals covers farming and rural life. It’s the Royal New Zealand Show held over three days each November. With the theme of ‘Bringing the country to town’, the Show is held at Canterbury Agricultural Park, Wigram Road, Christchurch.

Featuring both indoor and outdoor displays and exhibitions, the Royal New Zealand Show attracts well over 100,000 visitors each year. Displays include marquees and pavilions showcasing the very best of New Zealand farming and rural life, top entertainment, and numerous other attractions. The event draws 5000 livestock entries and more than 400 exhibitors.

The Royal New Zealand Show was first held in 1924. Formerly held in rotation with Palmerston North, Hawke’s Bay, Hamilton, Invercargill and Christchurch, the show has been held at the Canterbury Agricultural Park in Christchurch since 2006.

New Zealand is a fascinating country but attending a festival can give you special insights into this antipodean nation.

Epic Beer Cases, a tower of

auckland food

Image taken on 2008-08-03 11:24:39 by epicbeer.

Get exclusive catering services with online caters

One of the major concerns while you host any party or event is the choice of appropriate caterers because food is the inherent part of any event. The role of a catering business includes meals, appetizers, and desserts; drinks that compliments the theme of the event. It is required that you make choice of a perfect catering service for your event; there are enormous online catering service providers you can choose the one that suits your requirement and budget. You can also request them to provide free samples so that you are aware about their specialities and customer services. Efficient caterers are able to provide services according to the theme of the customer’s event; you can decide your location and preferable budget and avail the best services by the caterers.

The catering industry has an entire range of commercial kitchen, these kitchens includes advanced gas, electric boiling tops, counter-top fryer, ambient cupboards and the major requirement is the combination steamer and oven along with pasta boliers,soup kettles, rotisseries and toasters. While planning for the events like marriages the caterers also has wedding planning services, you can get exclusive ideas by which you can make your party memorable for yourself as well as your guests. Think well before you choose the menu, order dishes that are liked by most of the people, sometimes the guests like food with less sugar or vegetarian food, so make sure the caterer is able to provide these facilities.

Esteemed caterers take a detailed account of your event so that there is nothing left out on the day of occasion. Make an accurate list about the number of people going to attend the event, location of the event; theme and food, make sure you do not over-order the food and neither is it less for the guests. Budget is a prime concern while looking for any caterer, never hire them two to three days back the event the reason behind this is they might ask for higher price range. Often companies at the time to providing the quotation do not reveal the charges of the taxes so make sure, if they have any kind of hidden charges.

There are well known caterers that have a more than twenty years of experience in performing weddings, corporate events, social functions, birthdays celebrations, Christmas parties , they deliver incomparable foods for each of these events along with great customer satisfaction. By following some tips you can plan a grand event for yourself, to know about exclusive catering services Auckland just visit www.cbdcatering.co.nz.

Otara Market: A Penny Pincher?s Kiwi Dream

Owing to its sun-kissed landscapes along stretches of prime beachfronts, Auckland well- deserves its title as the City of Sails. Spread out amidst the Manukau and Waitemata‘s picturesque ports the city is a hub of natural wonder with its cascading hills, lush rainforests and volcanic mountains. Home to the proud heritage of the Maori community, Auckland is a modern day metropolis that encompasses a mainly Polynesian, Asian and South Pacific islander population.

Renowned as one of New Zealand’s most popular holiday destination the locale offers a wide range of attractions such as Rangitoto Island, Auckland War Memorial Museum, the  Sky Tower, Kelly Tarlton’s Antarctic Encounter and Underwater World  as well as the iconic Auckland Harbour Bridge.

With some of the nation’s premier designer clothing outlets, Auckland is also a shopper’s paradise where one will be spoilt for choice. The trendy shop fronts along Queen Street and High Street, famed for their exclusive collections while the Ponsonby, Newmarket and Parnell boutiques are also available. Department store fanatics can hit the suburbs where Albany Westfield, St Lukes, Botany Downs and Sylvia Park are located in addition to the DFS Galleria.

Those who are looking for a bargain can do no better than Auckland’s quaint street markets where one finds not just an authentic Kiwi shopping experience but local goods galore. Dubbed Manukau’s premier attraction, Auckland’s Otara Market welcomes a staggering 5000 shoppers each Saturday with its impressive collections of art, jewellery, crafts, clothes, music and fresh produce. A fantastic display of Polynesian customs is not all that’s on offer at his bustling outdoor market as Asian, Pakeha, Pacific Island and Maori vendors line the colorful streets of the Otara Market in a melting pot of culture and vibrancy.

You can find anything from humorously captioned t-shits to conventional Tapa wear as well as quilts and   pacific island handicrafts alongside CD’s, jewels and fashionable attire. Stroll along the over 250 storefronts of the Otara Market while listening to the pulsating beats of Pacific Island music and the scintillating aromas of  Chinese pork buns, over-fresh rewana bread and Cook Island doughnuts.

A stunning collection of fresh flowers are also sold here while Chinese and Indian food stalls offering a myriad of scrumptious treats are also available. The finest fresh produce in Auckland also finds its way to this pleasant market where food connoisseurs are sure to find the ingredients for their next culinary masterpiece.

Having launched the career of  fashion houses such as Dawn Raid Streetwear who first set up shop at the Otara Market , this meandering, ever-growing bazaar is a bargain hunter’s dream come true as the best that Auckland has to offer is for sale here at a fraction of  the cost.

When it comes to luxurious Auckland hotels it is difficult to surpass The Langham Auckland. Ideally located, this comfortable Auckland hotel serves as the perfect base for holidaymakers and corporate travellers.

Epic Lager

auckland food

Image taken on 2008-08-03 11:27:51 by epicbeer.

Aspen Bed and Breakfast Guide to Auckland

The best aspect of this small Auckland Bed and Breakfast hotel is that it is ideally placed in the heart of the Auckland CBD. The well-trained staff are knowledgeable about the best tourist spots, the website even has suggestions for week long stays.

Aspen’s choice one- Albert Park

Albert Park is located in the heart of the Auckland CBD and is at a walking distance from Aspen House Bed and Breakfast hotel. This park was once a volcano thousands of years ago and today Albert Park is the lungs of the city. You can see the Auckland City Art Gallery at one edge of the garden. At the other corner, you can see the park keeper’s dwelling that houses antiques and items of interest.  There is a variety of sculpture, attractive floral beds, a Victorian spring and many majestic trees in the parkland. The stately University with its regal clock tower is situated opposite the park.

Aspen’s choice number two- The Hop on-Hop off Bus

Tourist buses are very useful in allowing you to enjoy the tourist spots in any city. In Auckland too, tourist buses help you travel to many places. A hop on hop off bus can be boarded at Aspen’s doorstep and it will take you to Ferry Building and along the seaside to Kelly Tarltons. You can also visit Parnell Village, a major shopping locality which houses exhibition halls, The Rose Gardens and the Museum commemorating those who fought in the war. Queen Street and the prominent Sky Tower can also be seen by travelling in the tourist bus.

Aspen’s third best tourist location-The Coastline

Auckland is blessed with a spectacular waterfront. Bastion Point Lookout will be a convenient first stop for you, a place over the Waitemata Harbour with impressive sea and city views. Kelly Tarltons is yet another interesting place and you’ll enjoy the Penguin Antarctic Adventure and the Underwater World. The waterfront offers many eating choices again depending on your budget.

Aspen’s Fourth Best Choice – A Ferry Cruise

When you are in Auckland, you must take a ferry tour either to Devonport, predominantly a food and shopping venue, Rangitoto
for a great climb up a dead volcano or to Waiheke to look around the wineries and to appreciate the breathtaking views of the beaches.

Aspen’s Choice Five – Adventure

You should not leave Auckland without experiencing the Bridge Climb, the only one of its kind in New Zealand. America’s Cup Yacht lets you sail on Auckland’s Waitemata Harbour, an unforgettable expedition. A Bungee jump off the Sky Tower will leave you
you beathless. Walking around the Tower or indulging in a feast on the Tower top as you enjoy the 360 degree views of Auckland are the other activities that you may like to do. You can access all these tourist destinations from Aspen House, the centrally located Auckland B&B hotel.

YOUNG JEEZY – TRAP STAR (INSTRUMENTAL)


CONTACT INFO: STALKLAND@HOTMAIL.COM BEAT: HAD ENOUGH PRODUCED BY 44 LOCATION: STALKLAND, NEW ZEALAND CREDITS: MAGNUM “44″ LUM URL: WWW.MYSPACE.COM/44

Online food cater with an amazing vision

What should be characteristic of an ideal online catering food services provider?
The question was asked to the leading name in this segment i.e. cbdcatering.co.nz. The answer was quite simple check out our services or our clients’ feedback. Actually, the point was caterers’ immaculate control upon all aspects of food catering. The name of the company is known as the synonym of the Catering Supplies New Zealand and it is quite obvious.

Let’s understand the riddle for being so much special name in online catering food services. Normally, we have seen that caters use to focus upon varieties and quality in food menu. But, cbdcatering.co.nz is working in more exclusive way. It seems as if it has a research team that always deals with the assignment. Yes, the assignment might be concerning with loop holes in catering services or may be topic ‘clients expectation’.

Cbdcatering.co.nz understands that on every normal or auspicious occasion, varieties of persons are invited. All may not be healthy and hence, all delicious food items may be worthless for them. So, is there any alternate for them? Cbdcatering.co.nz has identified this loop hole and included raw food in its menu. Actually, it applies with all leading catering services providers. Such understanding will enhance their credibility and popularity.

Anyways, we are here to explore diabetes and its connection with raw food. There is estimation that alone in US millions of people are suffering from diabetes and the most crucial aspect of the disease is the fact that still lot more people are left to be diagnosed. So, whether all of the causes pertaining to diabetes are understood or not, in both circumstances, eating raw food is a wise approach towards the issue.

As a prudent caterer, one should understand that diabetes victims also need same level of nutrition as anyone else. The most important thing is, ‘it is an important element for controlling its dangerous consequences’. Hence, raw food perfectly fits with the entire requirement associated with diabetics. We have often said that Cbdcatering.co.nz is very special name in catering food services. It proves again with this sort of great vision in business. Its vision certainly gives it a special recognition and enhances its credibility as well.

Luke @ Auckland Food Show 2008

auckland food

Image taken on 2008-07-31 10:04:30 by epicbeer.

Food caterers must have good understanding about Italian food culture

Italy has great historical significance. There are so many archeological evidences scattered everywhere in the nation which are loudly glorifying its past. Amid all these loud monuments and evidences, there is something very special and the whole word is crazy about its essence and taste. Yes, your guess is right, it is Italian food. Prominent online catering food service provider cbdcatering.co.nz has also included almost all popular items of Italian food in its menu.

Though, there are a many famous Italian dishes. But here we will explore only few special ones. Even cbdcatering.co.nz is also promoting them through its event catering Auckland services.

Let’s begin with ‘pasta’ that we buy inside paper bags or plastic bags. Its shape has great significance for Italians. It is available in different shapes, size and flavor. You may have heard about Pasta all’amatriciana. It is traditional pasta sauce specifically made for bucatini pasta. Cappuccino is another popular Italian food item. Let me make it more correct, it is a popular Italian drink. It is mix of coffee and milk with addition of milk foam. Normally in the rest of the world, people prefer to have cappuccino in the evening but Italians prefer it in breakfast.

A hardcore alcohol drinker might be quite pleased to hear that drinking in Italy is associated with greeting. But, it is attached with certain etiquettes. If you have to serve drink to the person sitting next to you, never turn the jar or the bottle against the natural way of your hand. Well! Let’s make it clearer. You have jar in your right hand then glass must be on right side. Remember, it should never be on the right side of your right hand. Italians take it as the bad luck or the sign of misfortune.

In most of the places, salad is a very common part of meal. It is popular in Italy as well but in different way. Here, people eat salad as a side plate for the second dish. There are many more interesting things to know about Italian food. It is good that catering services provider like cbdcatering.co.nz has good understanding about all these important aspects of Italian food culture.

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