Not too important a question re NZ

Old Jan 4th, 2005, 06:05 PM
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Not too important a question re NZ

I realize this question isn't going to make or break my trip, but am curious. We are planning on buying a small cooler to keep our food and drinks cool. Are bags of ice generally sold at gas stations? Or convenience stores?

Also, when reading someone elses report, I think they counted large quantities of possums running out into the road in front of them. Is this a concern? I kwow, I know, they are considered pests, but it would upset me greatly to run over something.
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Old Jan 4th, 2005, 07:49 PM
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I am not in NZ but I cannot see why there would be any problem in getting ice. They are sold everywhere in OZ. On the question of the possums - they used to be our possums and the Kiwis hate them because they became a pest there. We love our possies and we too hate to run over them but they do seem to want to commit suicide in NZ for some reason or another.
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Old Jan 4th, 2005, 10:43 PM
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The only live possum we saw, just outside Waitomo, got out of the way before we got to it. Dh was reluctant to run the thing over anyway, even though I told him thousands of Kiwis would thank us.

Lee Ann
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Old Jan 5th, 2005, 12:03 AM
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Hi Kodi!

Just back from the South Island (will post my report shortly) -

Yes ice bags are sold at gas stations.

The only live possum we saw was at the Willowbank Reserve, sleeping...

Hope that helps,
Kat
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Old Jan 5th, 2005, 12:05 AM
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And, oh, the cooler would be a good idea, especially with the driving in the wild.
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Old Jan 5th, 2005, 04:25 AM
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Whew! I'm glad you guys didn't see possums all over the place. I had visions of being afraid to do the speed limit for fear of running over one.

And I will buy a cooler on our first day. It's good to know I can pick up ice along the way. I did have a bit of trouble finding it in Britain a few years ago.
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Old Jan 5th, 2005, 06:25 AM
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Hi Kodi,

Years ago we used to buy the cheapest cooler we could find at our destination, usually styrofoam. Then we would leave it behind in our last hotel room at the end of our stay. Our hope was that a member of the hotel staff would keep it for themselves.

However, there now are those collapsible coolers that last a long time and that can fit in a suitcase. I haven't tried looking for one at this time of year, but I don't imagine our Canadian stores would have them now, as they're a rather seasonal item.

When you purchase a cooler in NZ, you'd have the choice of a cheap, throw-away one or a more expensive, permanent, collapsible one. Just a thought.
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Old Jan 5th, 2005, 03:12 PM
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Thanks Judy. A great idea. Actually I have a collapsible cooler, but I'm trying very hard to travel light and I'm not sure I'll have room for it. I was thinking more of buying the styrofoam one and doing as you suggested and leaving it behind. HOpefully someone will be able to use it. I've been told the name of a big discount store ( can't remember the name offhand...the Warehouse perhaps), where I can buy a cheap one.
I'm also trying to leave space in my suitcase going over so I have room for shopping!
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Old Jan 6th, 2005, 06:19 PM
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Kodi,

I've done what Judy in Calgary sez a few times (only locally)and it works very well. While I was in NZ last month I shopped for picnic supplies like wine, cheese and salami (my favorite picnic) at Woolworth's and really didn't need a cooler (yikes, it was cold for "Spring"). We bought things in the morning/early afternoon, threw them in the trunk and really didn't have to worry much; everything was fine.

Now, as to the possum question...I think those of us in the US have a hard time thinking of them as "pests" because they are so darn cuter than our possums! (those of you on the Board who are Aussies and Kiwis, do a search and you will see how ugly ours are)

That said, not to worry...unless you're driving at night you probably won't even see one...unless it's in a tourist shop..ahem..in a "different form". I saw gloves, hats, scarves, etc. all made from possum fur. Good On Ya Kiwis for turning a pest into an industry!

My favorites were: doing a site inspection on a hotel in Queenstown (rates of $1200 - $1400 a night) and seeing a possum throw on the bed, AND, nipple warmers. Yes, you all know SOMEONE of your friends and family that you want to buy these for, don't you? I got a pair dyed in purple for my friend Terri, the only one I could think of who would actually wear/use them. I gave them to her over the holidays...I am anxiously awaiting news of how they worked...stay tuned..

Regards,

Melodie
Certified Aussie & Kiwi Specialist
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Old Jan 6th, 2005, 07:43 PM
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Hi Kodi,

Most hotels and motels in NZ have small fridges in the rooms/units and the majority of these have small iceboxes or freezer compartments big enough to take a couple of small freezer packs. So buy a couple of these and just keep refreezing them each night. Saves messing about with ice. You can get them whereever you buy the cooler, or even in most supermarkets. The Warehouse is good for stuff like coolers and also a chain called Payless Plastics.

You might see the odd possum if you are travelling thru forest areas at night but they are normally not a problem. In all my years of travelling in NZ, mostly on business but often returning home in the evenings, I never ran over a possum.

Enjoy your trip,
Julie
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Old Jan 6th, 2005, 07:43 PM
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Possum fur nipple warmers? Am I the only one who finds this just a little bit weird? OK, Melodie, I know you're from California, so the rest of the world probably holds few surprises for you - but what other strange undercurrents flow in NZ?

The possum/wool blend is fantastically soft and by repute superior in all respects to pure wool, but it's still expensive.

Possums are the Agent Orange of New Zealand, responsible for wiping out the habitats of many native species, and about as popular as the Hawaiian cane toad is in Australia. It may go against the grain to turn them into roadkill but yes, you'll be cheered on by the locals.

Here in Canberra I've been kept awake the last few nights by possums fighting for possession of the peach tree outside our bedroom window. Unfortunately they tend to cross the road via the overhead power/telecoms lines and so are difficult to get a bead on when driving.

I have an old American cookbook containing a possum recipe or two. Don't know of the Australian variety is as edible, but it might be worth a try. For the Kiwis that is - they're a protected species in Australia.
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Old Jan 7th, 2005, 04:34 PM
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Hi Kodi,

On your search for a cooler, yes the Warehouse would be a good place to pick up a cheap one. There is a branch at Auckland airport next to Foodtown Supermarket on your right as you exit the airport heading to Auckland city. (Its a big red building)

As far as the possums are concerned. Please take aim with your car and speed up. They don't call them re-treads for nothing. Hit a hundred and I think you get a free set of steak knifes lol.

Also while you are on the West Coast of the South Island (If you make it there) feel free to sample the possum on the menu either as pies or stew.

Cheers

Steve
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Old Jan 7th, 2005, 05:11 PM
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Neil,

Yes, I am from California, and I have yet to see any Tofu Nipple Warmers or Vegan Nipple Warmers, so you can only imagine my DELIGHT in finding such an exotic prezzie to bring home. Honestly, I stood in the store (my husband at a safe distance pretending he didn't know me), holding them in my hand, mentally going through my list of friends, thinking "I've GOT to buy these for SOMEONE". (and packs flat as well)

They were very soft and fluffy, just as you said the fur to be. And such an attractive purple color to boot. Worth the $7.95 NZD for sure!

So, you've got an American cookbook with receipes - must be a rural Southern recipes where they're known to have Roadkill for dinner (not making that up). Steve apparently has the info on where to go on the West Coast for possum stew or meat pies, and I'll bet it does NOT taste like chicken!

Regards,

Melodie

Oh, and you'd be wrong..the world holds all sorts of surprises for me - each trip I take I find new and interesting things and meet new and interesting people - that's why we're all addicted to travel isn't it?
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Old Jan 7th, 2005, 06:10 PM
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Melodie, I sure hope the weather gets better and that we NEED a cooler!
Hmmm I gotta get me some a them thar nipple warmers. I hope they come in other colours. Purple just isn't my colour and I'd want to look good in them!!!

Julie, I'll look for ice packs. They'd be much easier and a lot less mess than ice. Bout satying in hostels, we may not have a place to freeze them. Hopefully we will.

Neil, I'll be having nightmares about running over the possums. Oh, I really hope I don't see one. Especially since I want to look at the possum/wool sweaters. I've heard they are beautiful and I don't want to associate my new sweatehr with roadkill!!

Steve,
I'll pass on the stew! Or could I try it if I had on my warmers? Thanks for the location of Wharehouse. I'm sure I'll find all kinds of things there for our driving trip.

Steve, thant
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Old Jan 7th, 2005, 07:23 PM
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I ordered a beautiful 2005 calendar from the New Zealand Nature Company. My order ($10 USD with free shipping!) included a catalog which featured the aforementioned nipple warmers. Our house always seems cold during the winter, and they sound kind of tempting right now..... ;-)

So, for the curious, here's the link: http://www.nznature.co.nz/ecofur2.htm

Lee Ann
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Old Jan 7th, 2005, 07:57 PM
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Melodie, the possum recipe is in the Culinary Arts Institute's Encyclopedic Cookbook, which dates from 1950 and runs to about 1,000 pp. It's full of quaint illustrations from a vanished world ("The Taffy Pull", "Father Carves the Fowl") and was written before anybody knew or cared what a calorie was.

I have to say that we don't use it much, though it's hard to beat for cakes, pies and anything else that uses a lot of sugar.

I'd have liked to follow the instructions for building one's own root cellar, but you need a hillside in your back yard. Would have made quahog chowder too, but don't own a gun so can't shoot a wild quahog.

The recipe for Roast Opossum ("a very fat animal with a peculiarly flavored meat") is followed by Braised Moose and Reindeer Pot Roast. I'm not making this up!! I was intrigued by a reference to "4 pounds ripened moose" -no, don't tell me, I'd rather not think about a ripe moose.

And here was me thinking the Kiwis were weird. Sorry, Steve.

kodi, it can get chilly in the South Island - I think you'd be well advised to wear a sweater over the warmers.
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Old Jan 7th, 2005, 09:02 PM
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Melodie, you were holding out on us. You dind't tell us there were matching G-strings. But Lee Ann was kind enough to post the web site showing them. Lee Ann what a great way to keep warm! And I can just tell that they would do the trick too! I definately think you should order the set.
And just so you know ( and Melodie , your friend too), they are worn 'furry side facing nippleward'. ( That's our new word for today, boys and girls!!)
Neil, I have heard the south is a bit cooler this year.Perhaps a sweater would be a good idea!

A ripe moose? Well, I suppose much better than an overripe moose!
It must be getting late...here in Canada anyway!!


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Old Jan 7th, 2005, 09:40 PM
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We often pass overripe kangaroos on the roadside, and that's bad enough.

I'm sure kiwi_acct will tell you that just about every mammal in NZ is an import, and most are by definition pests. Even the native swan is threatened by the Australian black swan, and then there are the ferrets, stoats, deer, pigs, you name it.

Possums aren't a major problem in Australia, apart from their propensity to nest in roof cavities - their numbers are constrained by available food sources except in cities, where their numbers have ballooned due to fruit trees and vegetable patches, not to mention well-intentioned but foolish people who feed them. In lusher, greener NZ it's a different matter.

kodi, I didn't realise you're Canadian - I guess you can ignore what I said about the cold weather in the SI. I have no idea what the warmers look like - I guess you could get away with it if they're big enough.
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Old Jan 8th, 2005, 07:09 AM
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You guys are cracking me up!

Kodi, the warmers DO come in other colors; red, black (always so slimming) and I believe green.

Lee Ann: You're a marvel! I cannot BELIEVE you found a site for this -- too funny! I didn't see any g-strings -now I feel....incomplete.

At the bottom of that link though I see they mention the possibility of jock warmers and the San Francisco gay community. Maybe I need to go back to NZ and scoop up all the possum fur I can and start a side business on Castro Street!

Neil: That cookbook sounds like a hoot...I have a few like that (2 from the late 1800's - the kind that start out with killing something and then plucking feathers or burning fur off!)

Um, you'd have a very hard time shooting a quahog....it's a type of CLAM I don't want to think about a ripe moose either -- I've smelled one at a safe distance "on the hoof" and was pretty ripe then!

Melodie
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Old Jan 8th, 2005, 10:57 AM
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Melodie,Oh thank goodness they come in black. YOu are right...oh so slimming!
There is money to be made in San Fran. If the idea catches on, you could be rich!! and the owner of the only possum boutique in NOrth America.
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