Winding roads and cheesecake!

It's been more than a year since I came to Auckland. I was fortunate enough and got to travel around NewZealand substantially despite being a student. For a long time now, I wanted to start writing something about places and nature of NewZealand. It was difficult to decide where to start and well that's why I never started. But enough is enough. I am going to start writing as it comes to my mind, be it any place, famous or not so famous yet!

So I live in Auckland in a nice and cozy house. We have our own garden and very good accessibility to the city through trains or buses, well that is about it, all the places here are beautiful and green. Most of the beaches around Auckland are about half an hour drive from my house. There are nice broad motorways as well as winding roads bringing memories of Konkan. I have travelled around part of Auckland, Hamilton as well as some parts of South Island, which is supposed to be most beautiful. This post is about nice cafe I found somewhere in west Auckland. Much of the parts of west Auckland are hilly and hence the roads are winding. There are many beautiful beaches along the coastline. Piha beach is perhaps most famous and parts of the film "Kaho na pyar hain" were picturized here. Below are some of the photos of the beaches here.

Now that I have a good hold on driving, I love driving in this hilly region. There are hairpin turns, sharp cuts everything. Yet driving is rather safe as long as you are staying within 'your' lane! There are also some slow vehicle pit stops. If one is driving slowly for any reason and traffic is getting help up, he can divert to the slow lane for a while and let the fast vehicles pass. And yes it all happens without anyone sounding horns. Horns are considered insulting and generally used wisely for the same purpose!

During one of our drives around these lovely roads, we were looking around for a cafe. Best help in most of such situations is Google. It showed us a cafe called 'Kauri Gum Cafe' and also warned us that it would be closing soon by the time we reach there. We managed to reach half an hour before but it was Saturday and they were already moving the furniture and closing the cafe. It was going to be homemade tea that day. We had really liked the ambience of this cafe so, on another weekend we drove all the way there, about 35 minutes from my house, just to check it out. As we entered we were greeted by a skeleton and two very real looking miners. Well, all the three were part of the decorations. There was a lot of mining business around, well-crafted ambience for sure! I was very happy to see fresh cheesecake on their menu. I had this wonderful cheesecake once in Finland on a cruise and hadn't really had any close to that taste for a while. I had high hopes from this cheesecake. Next question was the drink. It was morning time and I really wanted nice black coffee. I asked them about 'afagado'. It's black coffee served with cream vanilla ice cream. They didn't have it on the menu but said could make one for me. To sum up, it was a perfect day. Afagado was really good with a nice strong coffee shot. The Cheesecake was absolutely worth driving all the way there. It was not too sweet, fresh and smooth. I have already visited the cafe again twice just for the cheesecake and a must visit destination in my list!

More about New Zealand soon! Any particular place? I don't know really, I am a free spirit... :)

Oh and this is how the cafe looks.. I gave an insider review but for an insider view, you have to visit this awesome place!

Special thanks to my dear friend "Hasanjii" for his great free driving lessons, more on it in upcoming posts...


Devendra.

Finland #4 - White church, pizza and cup cake...

It takes some time to truly understand big crisscrossed roads of Helsinki. But once you get the hang of it, it's such a beautiful place to roam around!

Be it calm dockyard behind my apartment, long straight roads with trams flowing freely, white church and the souvenir shops.... Each brings new experiences and pleasures on every visit. The atmosphere has major role to play of course... Had it been anywhere after October, just walking down the streets would have been chilling.. But I was in Helsinki during June - August so completely enjoyed the fresh air and warm summer...

One of my favorite past time on lazy weekends was

Walking around the capital on busy streets of
White church. The church is truly humongous.
Just a single glimpse as you turn the corner from the train stop, architecture fills your heart with pleasure, calmness and respect. In front stands the Alaxander with his head held high, he by the way is not the alaxander the great we study in history but a Finnish patriot. As sun light fades, artificial lights further enhance the aura of this auspicious beauty.

After doing so much of walking, my favorite place was pizza joint near train station. I loved the concept of buffet served at this place. A vegetable buffet would cost 7.50€ which included salad, which by the way was the best part, soup and pizza.. Unlimited!
No wonder I put on weight during my stay, this pizza was very delicious. The owner of the shop was very nice person and would make special vegetable pizzas with extra corn and paneer for me.




As I wondered around the streets I came across many interesting shops. Some selling weird abstract artifacts, some selling travel books, some selling hand made jewelry and of course countless souvenir shops.
Among these shops was a small one selling cup cakes, which used to be open for very limited time period. One fine afternoon as I was returning home after a small stroll, I found a big board hanging out side this shop saying "Open"! I was really happy as I eagerly wanted to try this cupcake.

I pushed the front door and a small bell rang. I was greeted by a very sweet lady with a courteous smile on her shining face! Now I had many options to choose from but it took me some time to gather courage to buy that cup cake as every cup cake cost more than 2.50 €. But they did look delicious. Names and their colors were so misleading that I finally asked for help. She described me everything as to how different cup cake was made and every cake's features! Finally I made my mind about chocolate mint cake in the picture and asked her to pack it as I didn't want to eat it there, in hurry.

I didn't have change at the time so I gave her my card but to my bad luck the machine was not working! All cash I had was in 20€ bills. The change she returned was in coins which made my wallet heavier than my bag! My disappointment was clearly visible on my face but she was quick to react. As I turned around towards the door came her voice, "Can I offer you coffee for all the trouble of carrying that change. I make good coffee" Offer was impossible to deny! She obviously understood that I was Indian and prepared coffee Indian way, with extra milk and sugar, without me telling to. She handed me the cup with big smile and I felt really satisfied.

As I walked back home enjoying nice cup of Java, it made me think as to how simple acts of gratitude can make life so much more beautiful. And yes the cup cake was very delicious! If I ever visit Helsinki again, I am surely visiting that cake shop!

Finland #3 - Man from the sky

Height of sky and depths of sea have always mesmerized humans.

Everyone tries to dig deeper or leap higher in his own ways.

I met a man in Finland who literally leaps into the skies along with 16-17 other people.

With no tools for navigation, travelling solely on the experiences and hunches, and returns everyone safely absolutely every time. I am talking about Mr. Hartman from ‘Aerohot Hot Air Balloons’, 

One of the coolest people I have ever met. 

By a sheer chance I came across Hot air balloon rides and went for one myself. And it was one of the best experiences by all means.

Just like the flight, Mr. Hartmann’s story is as astonishing.

Born in Innsubruk Austria, the first profession he went into was cooking!

As he describes, the education he received was in the form of 11 months of hard work in a hotel and 1 month of theories. Soon enough Hartman started up as a chef. I am certain that he must have been a very good chef. 

In Sweden, he first met a ‘blue blooded fatherly figure in ballooning’, as he quotes it, Mr K.G Silverstolpe. He got introduction and hands on experience with this man. But there was still some time for his own leaps. 

Still a full time chef, in the year 1985, he traveled by road to different countries for more than 9 months including to India and traveled much of its part.

Soon after disintegration of Russia, near 1988, there was a recession and hotel business took its toll. The winners turn obstacles into stepping stones and use them to jump higher. Hartmann did just the same! 

He acquired his flying license and used those turbulent times to learn and make foundations for future. Flying solo, he acquired enough hours of flight time, and by the time the economy gained strength, he was completely into flying balloons commercially.

Really, you never know where your life can take you. You just have to be on your toes and be prepared to grab the opportunity life throws at you.

Starting with a small balloon, he made it to having 4 balloons and pilots flying for him 

and mind you these things cost a fortune. But like any other sport, you get sponsors here as well if you are that famous. Well he had flying banners at his disposal that advertise themselves. Soon he collaborated with ‘Intersport’ Levi, Cramo and so on. The company finances entire balloon and in return they have a big logo of themselves on the balloon. What a way of advertising!

A little on working of balloons….

Idea behind balloon is to get hot air in and making it hot, so naturally it being lighter it goes upwards, along with the basket. There is no way to navigate the balloon and only the altitude can be controlled, by heating up the air. The flight completely depends on air currents and it flies in the direction and with the speed of the wind.

The day being sunny, there are hot air currents, making a flight almost impossible. It is always flown during sunrise or sunset. 

Initially, the wind speed and direction is checked. Too much or too less wind and you can’t fly a balloon. After perfect wind conditions are found, air is filled in the balloon and air is heated with propane gas. After the air is hot enough, the ropes binding it to the ground are released and the balloon gets airborne. Depending on the streams of the wind, balloon travels. As long as there is propane gas present and weather conditions are suitable, one can remain in the air.

Now comes the most difficult part, the landing! As navigation is not possible, landing completely depends on the skills of the balloonist. After area is decided, heating of the air is stopped. As the air temperature is decreased, balloon starts descending as the air is not lighter anymore. There is small parachute, which is a kind of an air valve, inside the balloon which plays a vital role. As desired altitude is reached, parachute is pulled down using a rope. As the air inside balloon decreases, balloon descends further and then a crash landing. 

With changing air currents, speed and temperature, it’s truly a challenge to fly and land the balloon in the desired area.

During my ballooning experience, we had a meeting point at Malmin airport. There after weather checks, they took us to a takeoff site, but there was too less wind and we had to cancel the flight. During the times when flights are cancelled, 99% times the reason is too much of wind!

Very next day, we reached a different take off site. This time everything was perfect and soon we were airborne.

Hartmann was consistently checking the maps and position and bringing balloon up and down to travel in the perfect air current.

It was the most beautiful sunset I have seen so far. As we were almost 2000 ft above the ground, it was a truly whole other level to experience the sunset from.

Endless vistas of trees, fields and rivers were laid down below us.

Going with the wind was truly an amazing experience.

After about 40-45 minutes, Hartmann decided a place to land. Landing generally takes place in big fields. As such gigantic structure surely needs lot of open space to land.

Soon we started descending and had a crash landing in the middle of nowhere!

After we wrapped up the gigantic balloon, it was time for some snacks and awarding a diploma in Ballooning!

We then returned back to Malmin airport marking an end to a truly one of a kind experience.

Apart from ballooning commercially, Hartman also participates in ballooning tournaments. He has more than 3000 flying hours under his belt.

When he is not flying, he sells chest nuts! Yet another perfect way to interact with people he says.

Without going to a business school, the ultimate teacher called ‘experience’ has taught him much more about people management, marketing, business and ultimately life.

He currently lives in a beautiful house that is more than 200 years old with wife and three children! It’s a prefect house I think with trees and backyard and piano and a fire place etc.

If you ever go to Finland, do fly with this guy once!

You can reach him at www.aerohot.fi

From the times when he had pilots working for him, now he is back to flying solo. As he quotes it ‘You have to decide how much money is important. Idea of life should not be to collect money. Life goes too fast. Don’t do anything to make money, in the end experiences is all you have left with.’

This man surely has reached a delicate work life balance.

Finland #2 - The train

It’s hard to find so many geographically distinct places in the same city I presume.

Helsinki keeps surprising me every day as I turn around a corner.

One of the very first places I came across was Central railway station of Helsinki.

It’s very well connected via trams and buses.

Man I love railroads!! The station is astounding.

Enormous volume. Gorgeous architecture.

There are many railway lines connecting the city to rest of Finland.

In India, we are talking about 15 bogies for the trains.

Here the longest train I saw had mere 5 bogies!!

The trains are splendid, very clean and comfortable!

Well why won’t be, even in 3 bogie trains there are many empty seats all the time!

Here every dog surely has not just their day but actually all the days are theirs.

Separate vacant spaces for dogs and their masters/mistresses in trains, trams, buses!

The trains do travel at a very high speed, only possible because entire rail road is barred for any outside vehicle or outsiders.

But yes, I absolutely loved the railways and felt really pleasant to travel in such a vacant train!

The architecture of the long distance trains is also estimable.

Although, one warning, even in night trains, one has to book a sleeping coach separately.

Many people travel in chair cars during overnight journey, off course, chair cars are very comfortable.

Like on any other product, railways also offer promotions during holidays.

As during summer, many of the Finnish people are away in their summer cottages relaxing!

There are hefty discounts over 40-50% for numerous destinations.

Also, there is a concept of advance ticket!

If one books a ticket a week in advance, certain discount is offered.

However for a cancelled ticket, returned amount is very less or sometimes even none!

Well, enough in the ticketing I think!

Thankfully for us, we can travel to 2 neighboring cities on our travel pass.

I took a short trip on one of the routes just to experience the ‘clickedi  clackdi’

Journey was nice except for the stunning silence in the compartment! 

One thing I strongly felt everywhere was the amount of infrastructure available is more than required for the existing population.

It's not that infrastructure is too much or anything but the population is very less...

Finland #1

Many thoughts about pros and cons...
Many formalities and man made hurdles at visa office...
Lot of shopping and cuisine preparations...
A balance hanged in my room weighing everything from a book to a bag of medicines...
Many sweet moments spent with family and friends...
After 1 week wasted, due to spontaneous 'Bharat Band'...
Many checks and rechecks on luggage and tickets and money...

I finally entered the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, Mumbai on 9th June early morning,
And you guessed correctly!
I had successfully managed to forget an important thing! .... Digital camera...

It was really difficult to go back now with many people pouring in...
Moment was ripe with every unknown and equally confused face around...
Many policemen carrying some real big guns...
I some how managed to reach out for a while and get the camera from my Mami...
Alas....
I had a clumsy start for the journey but thankfully that was the only thing out of order till the end...
Pilot landed the plane safely on the desired airport!
and there was I,
at Helsinki Vantaa airport standing in front of migration personnel waiting for him to open the gates of Finland for me...
I had every thought of him rejecting me an entry for no reason really...
They say dogs can sense when a person in front is scared..!
The person in front of me surely looked like a big bull dog but he lacked the relevant abilities I guess...
With a big smile on his face he welcomed me to the country and I truly regretted about the dog metaphor...

I was searching for a cab outside and it took me some time to realize that the cool BMW cars standing in front of me are actually cabs!
Kind cab driver took my luggage and dropped me to my desired location.
I had to go through 3 locked doors to get to my apartment with 3 bags including big check in bag and a cabin bag!
but like they say, one who travels in central railway during peak hours, can travel anywhere with any amount of luggage..!
As I entered the room there in front of me was my travel card and phone card with some useful documents... Now that's called good service...
With high speed internet i was connected to my family in matter of seconds ... concluding my safe and sound journey....

I have been roaming a lot, in and around Helsinki since then....
Here's a beautiful panorama from Suomenlinna Fort ...

More on this and many other things in upcoming articles...