“Iceland: Same, Same, Different”

The Pacific and Nordic regions couldn't be further from each other but in this episode Phil Vine's out to find discover some uncanny similarities between NZ and Iceland, and where we really are poles apart. Iceeland and Aotearoa - are they twins? Two nations separated at birth? Well, that's the impression you might get from reading travel blogs about our two countries. And true, there are some remarkable similarities. Mountains, snow, fjords, hot pools, geysers, a small population and mind-blowing natural beauty. Phil Vine decided to take the matter up with two Iceland women, Bjorg and Hera Hjartadóttir, who've made their homes in Ōtautahi Christchurch. Despite the geographical doppelgängers there are some pretty well-defined cultural differences between Iceland and New Zealand. Icelanders eat rotten shark, drink Black Death and put something unmentionable in their mashed potatoes. At Christmas time there are 13 Bad Santa's, one of whom steals your sausages. And they have a pretty unique attitude towards weekend drinking. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details