Ep 2. Top of the South Island, NZ
- January 22, 2020
In the second episode of Samantha Brown's Places to Love season 3, Samantha travels to the top of the South Island in New Zealand, where she discovers the region's unique blend of natural beauty, history, and culture.
Samantha's first stop is the coastal town of Nelson, where she meets up with a local guide and sets out on a kayaking adventure in Abel Tasman National Park. The park is home to stunning beaches, rocky headlands, and a wealth of wildlife, including fur seals and penguins. Samantha takes in the park's beauty from the water, paddling through crystal-clear bays and past towering granite cliffs.
Next, Samantha heads inland to the town of Blenheim, which is located in the heart of New Zealand's wine country. She meets up with a winemaker who shows her around his vineyard, introducing her to the different grape varieties and winemaking techniques used in the region. Samantha learns about the unique terroir of the Marlborough wine region, with its warm, dry summers and cool, crisp winters that help produce some of the world's finest Sauvignon Blanc wines.
Samantha then travels overland to the Waipara Valley, where she meets up with a local farmer who takes her on a tour of his property. She learns about the challenges of farming in this part of New Zealand, with its dry climate and rocky terrain, and samples some of the region's famous lamb and other local specialties.
Moving on from farming, Samantha gets a taste of the region's history with a visit to the historic town of Hokitika on the West Coast. Here, she meets up with a local artist who shows her how to make traditional Maori bone carvings and explains the significance of the patterns and symbols used in these works of art. Samantha also explores the town's rich mining history, with a visit to the Hokitika Museum and a stroll through the old gold-mining town of Ross.
Finally, Samantha travels to the town of Greymouth, where she meets up with a local chef who takes her on a culinary tour of the region. They visit a local fish market and sample some of the freshest seafood in the world, including crayfish, paua, and whitebait. Samantha also visits a craft brewery to sample some of the region's famous craft beers and learns about the art of beer-making from the local experts.
Throughout her journey, Samantha discovers the unique blend of natural beauty, history, and culture that makes the top of the South Island in New Zealand such a special place. From kayaking in Abel Tasman National Park to sampling world-class wines in Marlborough, there's something for everyone in this beautiful corner of the world.
