For the next couple of weeks I will be calling a little town called KatiKati home. This is where I'm going to be helping out (or doing my best to be of use!) Chris and Jess who run Liberty growers farm - http://www.libertygrowers.co.nz. Check out their website to see the awesome herbs, veg and fruit they grow here hydroponically. I flew yesterday from Nelson to Wellington and after a brief stopover onto Tauranga which is the closest big city to the farm at KatiKati. Here I met Chris who kindly picked me up and even more kindly drove me to Rotorua to join in the celebration of Jess's dads 60th birthday that night. I felt a bit nervous about having to gate crash a lovely gathering of family and friends but I could not have been made to feel more welcome. Jess's parents have a beautiful and inviting home to match their spirits. There was food galore, all right down my alley - an array of salads to die for, delicious salmon and pesto crostini and mouthwatering desserts. I even got special treatment with a bowl of bbq veg! I had a lovely night and am really grateful to Jess and her family to have given me the chance to get in on a proper kiwi gathering, my first of the trip also. I think an essential part of travelling is spending time not just with your fellow travellers but with the people who are the bread and butter of the country for its from them that you will get the authentic New Zealand experience.