My kind of roses in Rotorua, Mac's Steakhouse

I think from now on I want B to bring me these kind of roses for Valetines. Roses of the bacon nature.

But we'll get back to that shortly. Lets talk about the drive from Waitomo to Rotorua.

A word to my fellow travelers. When you get a rental car with a GPS and you aren't driving a vehicle with 4 wheel drive.... please make sure that you change the GPS setting to easiest instead of fastest or shortest.

Because you might end up on a quaint little side street like this.



But your quaint little side street may turn into a dirt road.

And your dirt road may turn into a 4WD obstacle course. I didn't take any pictures because I was too busy holding my breathe and praying. But I will say that there were hole large enough to lose me in.

Have you been on the Indiana Jones ride? It was like that. Only we were in a Toyota Corolla hatchback with 4 inches of clearance under the car.



This is just from the dust being kicked up behind us.

We had to stop here because there was a loud scary noise coming from under our car. To be honest I'm surprised we didn't leave half of the engine on that dirt road.

The cow wants to know if we can stop all the racket.



When we finally got to Rotorua we found this piece of heaven. Its called Eat Streat and we could've dined there forever.



We ended up at Mac's Steak House. Here is the Scallop Appetizer with corn fritters and a coconut curry cream sauce.



All of the scallops here have this orange part. What is that? It has the same texture as the scallop. The scallops were sweet and tender.



Back to my bacon roses. Here we have the filet mignon with a garlic marinated portabello and a corn meal crust. Did I mention the light layer of melted blue cheese? Or the creamy potatoes?

Totally delicious.



B had the heart attack on a plate. What we have here is filet with fries with a fried egg with caramelized onions and creamed mushrooms.

If you can get past the artery clogging you really enjoy this dish. I love being on vacation.



We were ravenous after the black water rafting. Disclaimer: I have no make-up on and I've been crawling thru caves so please don't look at my face.

I told you not to look.

Did you just scroll back up?



My healthy salad had mayo on it. Straight mayo. I realize that most creamy dressings are mayo but I've never had unseasoned mayo on a salad.



This is a fancy way of serving ice cream.



The next morning B headed out for a bike ride with Planet Bike. Rotorua is known for the amazing mountain bike trails and he just couldn't miss out on the opportunity to ride them.



During his ride I napped in the sun. I figure he was getting enough exercise for both of us.

After his ride the man on the right fixed our car by zip-tying the panel and plastic wheel well



New Zealand's own Lemon and Paeroa (L & P). Paeroa is the town the water comes from and the soda tastes just like Bubble Up!



I'd been seeing people walking around with these papers everywhere.

I didn't realize they were packages of fried goodness.



NZ's version of fast food is fish and chips wrapped up to go. B ordered that plus scallops, mussels and sausages.

The man has a bottomless pit for a stomach.



Back on the lake I took in the gorgeous day.

It was calm and relaxing.

I'm trying to send you some New Zealand warmth.

Whats the temperature by you right now?

The Letter B

Today's post comes to you from the letter B!


Does anyone remember this episode?!

B is for B's Bachelor Weekend



B is for Bycicles, there were 28 here yesterday. 28?! There were only 8 guys. I compare it to bringing different shoes for different outfits. They bring different bikes for different trails. Only you know, my shoes aren't custom made Manolo Blahniks which would be more price comparable.



B is for Beer, cases of beer actually. I almost died of shock when they got up and rode again this morning. They are probably sweating nothing but alcohol and bacon fat.



B is for Bacon Wrapped Dates. Recipe coming soon, although its painfully simple. I used up 2 lbs of bacon making these things and there wasn't a single one left over.



B is for Battered and Bruised (and blurry). Ouch.



B is for Birthday and Balloons! Even though none of the guys noticed the balloons until after they had eaten all the appetizers, gone down to the pool and came back in a second time. B might also stand for blind.



B is for BBQ Chicken, it was delicious but B could not remember what he put in the marinade besides garlic, ginger and soy. B, can you pause between each step so I can take a picture next time?!



B is for Blood on my new couch. Any removal ideas? It was already dry when I found it. I knew I wouldn't make it through the weekend without blood on something.



B is for Bicycles, yes I know I covered this but the repitition is necessary for you to understand the weekend. :) These pink bike parts are by Chris King in their Pretty and Strong line. Not only do they donate a part of these proceeds to Komen they also encourage their customers to skip a ride and bring themselves or someone they love into the doctor for a mammogram.



B is for Beef, Corned Beef with a brown-sugar mustard glaze, followed by taters, cabbages and carrots. FYI/TMI: When contemplating what to serve a room full of guys that will be spending the night in your apartment.... skip the cabbage.



B is for Big Trucks. I couldn't even see into the windows. I could break something if I fell out... which wouldn't be surprising at all.



B is for Beautiful trails. I like to see these pictures because I'll never put in the effort it takes to get to these spots. Beeeautiful.



B is for Bike Shop Talk. Many of them met when they worked at a bicycle shop years ago. They spent a long time reminiscing over an old album B had put together. I heard comments to each other like... "Were you taller then or are you fatter now?" and "Remember that one time you flipped over the front of your bike and the neighbors thought you were dead". Each comment was followed by a roar of laughter. Men.

B is also for Best Friends. They are a really good group of guys, even if they are stinky and sweaty. Most importantly, B had a great time and spent the last several days grinning from ear to ear.

OK, I'll leave it at that or I could go on and on forever and ever.

May your Monday be filled with Beauty and not a lot of Bull...

Can I come stay with you?

My apartment has been taken over by mountain bikers. I think I may need a safe place to escape to. A few weeks ago B mentioned some of his friends were coming in from Sacramento to ride. Some came in the evening, some around 1:30 am. They ate, they drank beers and they crashed out. They were back up at 7am and ready to ride. How do they do that?

The picture was taken last night in our garage. I went down to do a quick bike count. You see most of those bike are ours. I have found that 'round here bicycles mutltiply like rabbits. B loves bikes like most women love shoes.



B and all the sweaty, stinky, dirt-caked guys will be coming back here after their ride. I'll be ready with some treats to make up for intruding on their male bonding. Instead of a bachelor party B wanted to do a series of rides. I did not know until yesterday that this was one of them.

Me: What trails do your friends want to ride this weekend?
B: I already know where we are going. I get to pick, its my bachelor ride.
Me: Your bachelor ride?! What the heck am I doing here?
B:
Me: Oh B, I really wish you would tell me these things, I could head to my parents house, I could've made plans.
B: No, I want you here. Besides, who would make the appetizers?



So, they've loaded up and headed out and I'll start the prep. He also neglected to tell me it was one of their 40th birthdays. I'm not up to throwing together a cake but I know a great bakery down the road....

I'm thinking something pink, with flowers on it.

The Sting-ray

This pretty purple girl is mine! She was a birthday present from B.

Do you notice the nifty 60's effect on the photos? Its seemed appropriate and these are officially the first photos I've gotten to edit.

Here is a comparison between the original and the 60's style picture. I couldn't decide what I liked better. I really like the style of the retro one but I missed the vivid purple of the bike.

So I'll be posting both, since I'm still learning here. I realize it makes the post sorta incohesive but we can just pretend we are in a time warp... and then back.. and then forward.. and then back...

So, about the bike. It all started at a bike shop in Sacramento when I spotted an original Schwinn Sting-ray called the Lemon Peeler. Anyone remember the Lemon Peeler with the 3 gear stick shift thingie? I love that bright yellow bicycle. But I will love her from afar.

Well the originals are quite expensive these days. Then B found out they were doing a limited time reproduction of the old sting-rays.

Don't you just love the banana seat?!

If it looks like a kids bike, keep in mind I'm only 4'11' and have 3 1/2 legs. What? I have 3 1/2 inch legs. I do not have extra appendages.

She is great for a nice ride by the beach. Of course, for every one time B pedals, I have to pedal 45 times.

I remember the first bike I ever got. It was a Strawberry Shortcake bike. I wish I still had that thing. It was Strawberry Shortcake before her new style of jeans and t-shirts. I was all about the OG.S.S. with her squishy hat, foofy dresses and green and white striped tights.

When I came out Christmas morning, Santa had left me that bike and it was standing in front of the Christmas tree. Ah, what a moment.

Do you remember your first bike?