Two ways from Auckland to GBI
There are only 2 ways from Auckland to Great Barrier Island. There is
Fullers Ferry that goes to the island most days as the schedule varies according to time of year. By ferry it takes about 2.5 hours to get there. The other method is a charter flight. There are two charter airlines that fly to GBI:
Great Barrier Airlines and
Mountain Air Great Barrier Express.
On our trip we took Great Barrier Airlines and flew in the smallest aircraft in their fleet as shown in the picture. There were 6 passengers on the flight. Besides our family there was a father and his little girl. I was surprised at how common flight back and forth to Auckland was among those who live on the island. I would think that would get expensive, but they somehow manage it.
It takes about 30 minutes to fly to the island and it is a breathtaking aerial view over the island when you get there. The airstrip is on the side away from Auckland, so you get a good view before landing on a grassy airfield. That is quite an experience to land in a field without solid pavement underneath. After stopping, you walk to a very small "airport" that is about the size of a large tool shed.
Recreating the magic taste - could be
Since I can't get L&P in the states, the next best thing is to try to recreate the taste. I had a few bottles I was able to acquire recently. While drinking it, I tried to recreate the taste using several different blendings of common store bought items. Then I would taste my trial recipe against the real thing. To no avail. When I drink it, it tastes more like lime to me than lemon. It has a snap to it, so I tried mixing ginger ale with lemon, then lime, then both. The true taste keeps alluding me. I would be happy if I were even close, but nothing was.
I did find the following on the internet that takes time to make so I have not had time to try. Some day soon, I will try and report back on its success. I have my doubts because L&P is carbonated. This is not. Anyway, the recipe is from the following link: http://www.rettsyndrome.org/rebecca_hulst/recipe.htm
Real lemon cordial
6 lemons
1.8kg sugar
30g tartaric acid
30g citric acid
60g Epsom salts
2 litres boiling water
Grate the rind from the lemons and then squeeze the juice.
Dissolve the sugar, tartaric and citric acids, and Epsom salts in boiling water.
Mix in the grated rind and juice.
Pour into bottles.
Before serving, dilute with water to taste.
Note for New Zealanders: My Grandfather's family lived in Paeroa. Grandpa told of how his Mother would send him over the fields with a billy to collect water from the local spring to mix with this cordial. The original 'L&P'!
The Giant Bottle in Paeroa, New Zealand
Here is a picture of the giant bottle of L&P in the town of Paeroa, New Zealand. This is the place where L&P was first created and bottled. Now of course, it is bottled by Coca-Cola but so far I have not found any available in the US :(
