12 August 2012

TWO AOTEAROA TREASURES

I have heard people described as 'national treasures', (on one memorable occasion a friend even claimed that about herself!) and in this golden Olympic week there's no doubt we do have people who are admired by the whole nation. But it's a big call.

Recently I was in Taupo and where two of our country's real treasures came together for a perfect occasion. Fleur Sullivan and Huka Lodge. Ta daa!

Most New Zealanders will never have the chance to stay at Huka Lodge, but nevertheless it is the most perfect place that we should all be proud of. I recall my friend Darina Allen,(who herself is a national treasure of Ireland, and that's beyond dispute) travelling the country in a campervan I'd arranged for her and Timmy, her husband. They called into Huka, parked the van in the carpark and were so captivated by the tranquility and majesty of Huka Lodge they booked a room immediately. Darina loved their night there so much she returned to Huka three days later.

Every detail has been thought out well , from the warm welcome and the attention from the staff through to the large comfortable rooms overlooking the fast flowing Waikato river which speeds up to leap over the Huka Falls a stone's throw away. The lodge is fastidiously maintained and Chef Michel Louw's food is stylish, well balanced and beautifully presented. The most important thing is that nothing is ever too much trouble at the lodge.

Fleur was there to speak at a luncheon, and she is one amazing woman. Fleur has an eponymous restaurant on the ocean's edge at Moeraki, and single-handedly has made it the most talked about and loved destination seafood place to eat freshly caught seafood in all Aotearoa. She shared stories from her life while we ate her Moeraki seafood chowder, a lovely blue cod main course and the wonderful Whitestone cheese from Oamaru which Fleur had specially carried north.

Special events such as this at Huka are one of life's special occasions. I loved every minute.