Jaunted

Big Things / New Zealand Travel / Tourist Attractions / Fruit / → All Tags

Introducing the Giant Kiwifruit

Until now, it's always been Australia that has bragged about oversized fruit and vegetables masquerading as tourist attractions. But the new Lonely Planet Bluelist singles out New Zealand as the go-to destination for big things.

We're not sure if it's worth checking out, but in the spirit of fairness, we thought we should tell you about the huge kiwifruit to be found in the town of Te Puke. The giant slice of kiwifruit is part of the Kiwi360 attraction which features Kiwicarts, kiwi cuisine and a kiwi shop, too.

In fact, the whole Kiwi360 concept sounds kind of fun, and a tad educational as the Kiwicarts take you on a tour of the whole kiwifruit growing process. But we suspect at the end of the day--no matter how big the fruit is--there's definitely such a thing as too much kiwiana.

Related Stories:
· Favourite New Zealand Spots Highlighted [NZ Herald]
· Kiwi360 [Official Site]
· Big Things coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: Vidiot]

Festivals / Fruit / Cinque Terre / → All Tags

This Italian Feast Is No Lemon

In the picturesque Cinque Terre region of Italy, tomorrow, May 26, is a big day. The village of Monterossa al Mare will be hosting the annual lemon festival known as the Sagra del Limone, and word is that this celebration is no lemon.

The highlight of the day is the judging of the lemon contest, when the biggest lemon grown this season will be crowned. Lemon-related entertainment, plenty of lemon-flavored gelati and shop windows decorated with lemons will keep you amused throughout the day. If you've mis-planned your travels and won't be in Italy tomorrow, don't be sour. Just pop by next year, as the most lemony day of the year always falls on the Saturday before Ascension Sunday.

[Photo: Amanda Woodward]

Related Stories:
· Where To Stay In Cinque Terre [HotelChatter]
· Cinque Terre consortium [Official Site]

fruit / Australia / → All Tags

Australia: A New Banana Republic?

Backpackers spending the rest of the summer in Australia beware: the Big Banana might be the only piece of yellow fruit in sight. We already reported that banana prices are skyrocketing after a cyclone wiped out most of Australia's banana sales. Now one smart-ass Aussie has auctioned his last banana on E-bay in protest over the rising prices and the government's increase in credit card and mortgage interest rates.

Of course there's more. Jewelry stores are using bananas to entice customers shopping for engagement and wedding rings. Gift-wrapped bunches are guaranteed for those who purchase sufficient sparkling jewels.

Just when we'd started to think Australia is more than kangaroos and strange food, those Aussie focus all their attention on curvy yellow fruit. Maybe if they spent less time building 36-foot-long bananas and more time cyclone-proofing their plantations, they could stay out of the news for a while.

[Image via Fant/Flickr]

Related stories:
Banana Prices Going Bananas [Jaunted]
Man Goes Bananas [The Australian]
Bananas the Hot New Bling [The Australian]

Australia / Fruit / → All Tags

Banana Prices Going Bananas

We don't mean to go on and on about those Big Bananas Down Under, but it seems that the Aussies themselves are also going a bit bananas about the yellow bendy fruit at the moment.

If you're traveling around Australia right now, hopefully you're sticking to apples and oranges for your vitamins. After Cyclone Larry wiped out 90% of Australia's bananas mid-growth, prices are sky-rocketing. You can pay up to $10 a kilogram instead of the regular price of around $2.

All this has led to some particularly scandalous activity around our favorite Big Banana near Coffs Harbour, New South Wales. Believe it or not: some nasty criminals nicked 30 bunches of bananas from a plantation there this week. Doesn't sound like much, but police calculate that's worth $6000 at the moment. So, backpackers: Don't buy black-market bananas. You're only helping the crims.

[Image via areyarey/Flickr]

Related stories:
A Big Loot of Bananas [The Australian]
This is a Banana [Jaunted]