In part two of our series, well-known Kiwis reveal their much-loved summer memories.
FERN SUTHERLAND
It's so unoriginal to name Paris as my "holiday romance" choice, but the "city of love" adage is a cliche for a reason. My boyfriend and I pranced around eating pastries and visiting galleries. Westayed at a backpackers in Montmartre that was really close to a bar where you got a free dish of the French equivalent of Twisties with every glass of wine. It was terrifying speaking French but it was kind of nice because it's galvanising to navigate a foreign place together. He put a lock on the Pont des Arts bridge before throwing the key into the Seine to symbolise our unbreakable love. Those locks have since gone due to structural integrity issues. I don't know what that says about the future of our relationship. ● Fern Sutherland stars as Detective Sims in the Brokenwood Mysteries.
CIAN ELYSE WHITE
The infinity pool at Blue Point Resort is one of the most beautiful views for a Bali sunset. I once cruised out on my scooter with a bunch of friends to explore the beautiful hidden lagoon of Uluwatu. Once you arrive, you walk several metres down a cliff face through markets and stalls to a beautiful little lagoon that is only there for a few hours each day during low tide. The sun, the sand, the endless sunsets . . . Uluwatu is one of my favourite memories of a beautiful adventure abroad.
Our first getaway (well . . . without the cameras and contestants). We couldn't wait to hit the road for The Mount, even on a Friday. There's a certain romance about being near the ocean. Our road trip consisted of me being the ultimate car DJ and Jaryd spotting patches of blue sky, egging the clouds to burn off. After a range of odd snacks we arrived. We found a perfect spot by the beach for lunch before our endeavour up the mountain. It was a cloudless blue sky, exactly what we wished for. The walk is laced with tracks and it was an estimated 45 minutes to the summit. We, however, ran, walked, piggybacked, took a few too many pictures and managed to do it in just under 22 minutes. We enjoyed the breathtaking 360-degree views along the Bay of Plenty coastline. This most definitely won't be the last of our adventures because I'm hoping the future destination holds a plane ride, not a car.
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Charlotte and Jaryd met as contestants on My Kitchen Rules NZ
I've been to Wellington heaps of times and have always enjoyed it, but I fell in love with it on a trip last year. It was one of those trips where everything was just perfect; it was a crisp, sunny winter's day, I stayed at the QT Museum Hotel — stunning decor, the art collection makes it feel as if you are staying in a gallery, I was surprised with a fantastic plate of treats in my room and Hot Sauce is setting a new standard of cuisine in the capital. To top it off I had an absolute blast demonstrating some of my favourite dishes at the Food Show. Everything aligned. Next time, I'm definitely taking my mountain bike.
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Michael Van de Elzen is a New Zealand chef and restaurateur.
Mike Van De Elzen.
ASTLEY NATHAN
I fell in love with the people of Thailand. I remember meeting one of my tour guides in the streets of Phi Phi island and I got talking to him about his family and his life. We talked for a solid hour and after getting to know each other, he ended up bringing me along to a catch-up with some of his mates. We all had a blast; they showed me some local music and I played some Scribe, it was a hell of a night. I really wanted to help him and his family in any way I could, but he said that the time we spent together was more than money could offer. I was so taken aback, hence my love for the people.
