"My mind sees that I am nothing, my heart sees that I am everything, between these two poles my life unfolds."

Monday, June 11, 2012

Let's Get This Over With!!

I've decided to post everyday for the next while, until I exhaust my supply of photos from my trip Down Under. I figure that if I continue posting only Mondays and Fridays - this 'theme' will drag on until September!


When we first landed in Auckland, one of the first things I noticed in the airport was a McDonald's. Sadly, it seems you can travel clear across the world and never be more than a few feet away from a Mickey D's...


I have to say though, that I was very impressed with the McDonald's in Rotorua. 


 I love that they've incorporated their traditional art into it's design.


It was much more impressive than these pictures demonstrate.


Beautiful grounds as well. 


It was autumn when we were there, but most trees still had their leaves.


No need to photoshop - the colours were truly this brilliant.
Labels:

23 comments:

  1. AnonymousJune 11, 2012 at 1:23 AM

    There's no getting away from them!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Sulky KittenJune 11, 2012 at 3:13 AM

    That just might be the best interior of a McDonalds EVER! It doesn't even look like one. Those carvings are amazing. And those fiery red plants are beautiful. Definitely not your typical McDonald's. I have only ever eaten a McD's burger once in my life, just didn't like it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jane June 12, 2012 at 9:43 PM

      Isn't it amazing though! We popped in for the first time as we headed out of town to drive back to Auckland - we just wanted a quick breakfast 'to go.'

      Delete
  3. Plowing Through Life (Martha)June 11, 2012 at 4:01 AM

    That's actually a pretty cool McDonald's. The decor is very appealing. Did they offer anything on the menu that would reflect the local region?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jane June 12, 2012 at 9:34 PM

      Nothing that I saw, except that the McCafe referred to the regular coffee as 'long black' and 'long short' - their expressions for a regular large or small coffee.

      Delete
  4. UnknownJune 11, 2012 at 5:47 AM

    Wow, who knew? That was prettier than the MacD in New York! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jane June 12, 2012 at 9:46 PM

      I'm sure there are some very unique McDonald's around the world :)

      Delete
  5. Debra She Who SeeksJune 11, 2012 at 6:40 AM

    When we were traveling in Mexico a few years ago, we always kept our eyes open for a McDonalds. Oh, not to eat there. To go to the bathroom -- you could always count on McDonalds to have clean bathrooms and toilet paper.

    ReplyDelete
  6. The Dancing CroneJune 11, 2012 at 10:43 AM

    Ha Ha. I had a friend who travelled to the far east and just couldn't bring herself to eat the local food. She was more than happy to find a McD's in Bankok. Nice photos!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jane June 12, 2012 at 9:36 PM

      Hi Francie, I have to admit that I'd head to the golden arches too if I found myself in a country where I just couldn't eat the local fare.

      Delete
  7. VictoriaJune 11, 2012 at 11:44 AM

    Hi Jane..I always smile when i visit you reamm..gorgeous colors and blooms..very lush and beautiful..so vibrant too! And the magnificent carvings on the walls..stunning!Pretty Fancy McD's
    Fab post!
    Vitoria

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jane June 12, 2012 at 9:47 PM

      Thanks so much Victoria - I appreciate your kind words :)

      Delete
  8. https://booksthoughtsadventures.comJune 11, 2012 at 3:45 PM

    Where isn't there a McDonald's?

    Love the photos...

    ReplyDelete
  9. LoreneJune 11, 2012 at 6:25 PM

    A truly lovely McDonalds, would be a pleasure to dine there. The art work on the walls sure looks interesting. Did you have something to eat there?

    I wonder about the pretty red flowers and the sculpture outside. Is it a whale?

    Is your new header Down Under Shamrocks? There is a lucky one in there.

    Keep us entertained with more items about your trip, I love hearing about all these things.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jane June 12, 2012 at 9:38 PM

      Hi Lorene, The sculpture is stone and is a traditional Maori fish hook design:

      Hei Matau (Fish Hook)
      The Maori symbols or meaning for Hei-Matau more commonly known as the fish hook symbolizes prosperity.
      Maori use fish in many of their traditional food dishes. Fish were so plentiful to the Maori that the simple ownership of a fish hook meant prosperity. The Hei-Matau (fish hook) also represents strength, determination and good health, as well as providing safe journey over water.

      Delete
  10. Introverted ArtJune 11, 2012 at 7:25 PM

    Ins't amazing? Before we used to travel and we would be completely removed from the "known", now we travel around the world to eat at MacDonald's...

    ReplyDelete
  11. WebDebrisJune 11, 2012 at 7:57 PM

    So is the food the same? I have heard that there is some kind of red vegetable that is served on almost everything in New Zealand because it is so plentiful. But I have heard the moon is made of cheese too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jane June 12, 2012 at 9:41 PM

      Yes, it was just the same as you'd find here... I have heard that McDonald's food is different in some other countries, not sure which ones. I'm not sure which red vegetable you're referring to... they served grilled tomatoes as a garnish on a lot of dishes, but that's about it. Maybe I was eating at the wrong spots!

      Delete
  12. ElisabethJune 12, 2012 at 4:38 PM

    I missed this one, thinking you're not posting often! Such an unusual and different McDonald's. Doesn't even look like one if I hadn't seen the golden arches. So cool!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jane June 12, 2012 at 9:49 PM

      I agree - I was truly taken by pleasant surprise when we entered it.

      Delete

New comments are not allowed.

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)