NZ: Hallowed Tome, Native Tongue

The Lizard's smile brightened the central bazaar of the Western entry port to our native soil as pages turned, crisp and new. She had resisted obtaining the final book of the magical tome in a foreign land, and was now rewarded for her patience dealing with the embarrassing attitudes of our home nation's guards.
"I can wait until she is finished," The Bishop graciously told me, her joy overwhelming his relentless pursuit of knowledge.
My grin was almost as wide as The Lizard's, tempered only by a touch of sadness with the memory of the amazing lands and the adventures we had just concluded.

NZ: Fidel's

"It's hypocritical," The Bishop remarked, looking across the café.
"Perhaps, but he sure makes good brownies," I countered, washing down the chocolate goodness with a smooth sip of pinot.

NZ: Gnocchi

I've had two great gnocchi dishes in my life. One was in Boston, 10 years ago. The other was at the corner of Cuba and Ghuznee in Wellington, NZ.

NZ: Kaitaki

"What does it mean?" I asked the bo'sun.
"It means 'Challenger'," he replied and moved quickly to secure the cargo on deck.
The wind had started to whip furiously as we moved out of the protection of the fiord. The swell could be felt, even on such a huge vessel. The Lizard was meditating and The Bishop looked a bit worried - everything was normal it seemed. I commented: "It would appear she'll be 'challenging' these dire straights."
The Bishop kept his eyes fixed on the horizon, but added: "Wasn't 'Challenger' that famous ship which went down with all hands?"
I frowned. Perhaps this time The Bishop actually had cause for worry...

NZ: The Gritty Side of Christchurch

Village idiots are a constant it seems, and I will have to admit Traten's matter of fact assessment that the human race is made up mostly of base stock has its merits. I therefore feel for The Bishop as he approaches each situation with a fresh and positive attitude, only to be let down by his fellow man. Beer guzzling roughs, reigned slightly by a stern look from myself, made last night's competition fairly unpalatable. Still, all was not of the negative, as we watched the young local child perform his nation's war dance in mimic of his older brothers on the field.
...plus a reckoning was dealt to the offenders the next morning in the form of pounding skulls while riding the northbound carriage.