We started a new week and for me this means another long week of intensive study. After three weeks break I am entering that phase again - study, study and study.

Last weekend was study-free and this was a great weekend. I did not plan to do anything special, but it turned out to be amazing. It was a special weekend because it was our 21 month wedding anniversary. David and I celebrate every month that we have been together and we have done this since we started going out in 2011. We do this because we are so grateful for every month we are still together. We do not have a fancy celebration, usually only short messages via email or text is enough to make our day extra ordinary.

On Sunday, we decided to go for a walk going down Queen street, to the water front and watch the boats at the harbour. While we were looking at some ferries and speed-boats I suddenly had a thought to board the ferry and go to Devonport. I was glad that David agreed to follow my impulsive desire for adventure, so we bought two return tickets. David was so excited as it was his first time on the ferry to Devonport, although he  was slightly disappointed we could not go to the top deck due to bad weather.

It was almost dark when we arrived at Devonport so I could not take good pictures with my iphone. I was so gutted that I left my Canon camera at home but I will write more detail about Devonport in a different post and attached some photos from previous adventures to Devonport.

Most of the shops were already closed but we found a really interesting book store that was still open called The Bookmark. An old New Zealand map displayed near the entrance caught my eye, and I entered the shop. I realised that this shop is no ordinary book store as it has both antique and new books as well as ornaments from WWII. There are some comfy chairs for people who want to read their huge collection.

After we finished browsing, we went to the nearby take away shop to have fish and chips for dinner. The sign board says "since 1918", wow! The shop was small, with only one table, but they made the best fish and chips I have ever had.

We spent the rest of our time on the wharf watching the city lights before getting back on the ferry to Auckland.

Have you heard about Haggis? Haggis is traditional Scotland meal, which is consider as their national dish. It uses ox liver as the main ingredient, some recipe that I found on the internet also add ox tongue and lungs.

David and I tasted haggis for the first time a few months ago. I quite surprised, because not only we could tolerate its taste, but we actually love it - we normally hate the taste of liver.

Last Saturday, David organised some time to learn how to make Haggis with Jo, who is originally from Scotland. Although, she has already been in New Zealand for 52 years, she still hold her Scottish tradition tightly to her heart.

Jo was very kind, she not only shared her recipe with us, she also showed us how to make it and prepared all the ingredient. So I think I also will share it with you, so you can try to make it.

Haggis Recipe (easy way)
Ingredients:

• 1/2lb ox liver (I use lamb liver)
  
• 4oz shredded suet
  
• 4oz pinhead oatmeal
  
• 1 onion
  
• black pepper
  
• salt
  

How to make:

1. Cut liver and onion, place in the saucepan + 1 cup of water, boil for 15 minutes
   
2. Mince until it form consistency that you prefer.
   
3. Toast oatmeal in oven until light brown.
   
4. Mix all ingredient together + salt and pepper + 1 cup of water.
   
5. Place in a greased bowl (we use spray oil), cover and steam for 2 hours.
   

After the haggis cool down to room temperature you can put it in the fridge for a few days.

Serving suggestion:
Cut some NZ streaky bacon, fry until crispy, mix with haggis and fry until haggis turns brown, put some eggs and mix together. Serve with mashed potato and steamed broccoli.

Happy trying, hope you like it. Feel free to comment or ask me question. If you manage to make one please let me know how it turn-up, and what do u think?

Last weekend, was a long weekend in New Zealand, as we celebrated the Queen's birthday. 

It was a busy weekend for my husband, David, and I as we went to pick up my sister in law and her husband at Auckland airport on Saturday morning.  We drove to Hamilton to attend the wedding of David's cousin in the afternoon.

The wedding was so beautiful, I could see that the bride and groom were so in love and happy together, that brought back memories of our own wedding more than a year ago. 

The celebrations continued until late in the evening. Unfortunately I could not stay until the end as I was too tired.


It's almost my birthday, so on Sunday morning I organised a family brunch at Momento cafe on Victoria Street. It is a small cafe, with tasty food, great coffee, and a nice atmosphere. I ordered the big breakfast and a cappuccino, and was totally impressed. In fact, I was enjoying my food so much that I forgot to take any pictures. That explains why I have not displayed any photos of my birthday brunch. I will visit this cafe again  and will take many photos. David and his mum loved their waffles. My sister in law ordered the Mo burger, while her husband was a bit adventurous and ordered the jungle curry.

I had difficulty deciding which cafe to choose. I searched for reviews on tripadvisor, zomato and localist for the best cafe in Hamilton, and I was overwhelmed with the results. I felt like I wanted to stay in Hamilton for a week to try every cafe. There are so many cafes with amazing reputations, like: The River Kitchen, Victoria Street Bistro, Furnash Cafe, as well as many other cafes that are spread over Hamilton.

After brunch, we decided to visit the Waikato museum that is located across the street from Momento cafe. The museum is smaller than I expected and more like an art gallery because of the impressive number of art collections, especially paintings. Apart from paintings, there are also some exhibitions related to Maori history.


David snapped a picture of me wearing a Maori traditional outfit, which you can see below. Maori were the first people who came to New Zealand, their culture has shaped New Zealand culture.

I was interested in the view from the window of the museum looking out to the Waikato river, so we decided to take a stroll outside.