If you ever find yourself driving south on Highway 1 from Christchurch, then for great coffee stop at Salmon World Cafe at Rakaia. After crossing the longest bridge in NZ over the Selwyn River; just look for the huge freshwater salmon standing on a plinth 20 metres high. Serving everything from full meals to tasty home made snacks (their bacon and egg pie is outstanding).

However it is their coffee that will have you thinking there is some Italian barista training in there somewhere. Although not on the menu, my request for a long macchiato was met by a cheery ‘I can do that’, and was of such intensity and perfection, it hardly seemed possible. Being used to paying 1 euro for superb coffee in Rome only one week earlier, the $4 charge was almost palatable..or should I say drinkable.

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