No matter how many experiences I've had traveling the world, I'm still amazed that in the morning I can be in one part of the world and in 13 hours, be over 6500 miles away in another part (Auckland - San Francisco). I think about the ancient travelers who sailed across the seas for months to find a new home guided only by the stars in the sky. There was often a bit of turbulence in the friendly skies of Qantas, but nothing like huge waves crashing over the mast of the boat or gale force winds sending you sliding across the deck (well, except maybe in Milford Sound...). (Sketch below from nzetc.org)
I'd always wanted to travel to Australia and New Zealand. My husband's London-born great-grandfather spent a year in the late 1800s in Australia and 3 years as an LDS missionary in Samoa. I wanted to see what enticed Great Grandpa Joe Carpenter to travel to far away lands. The first time I met my husband Brent, he spoke of becoming a flying doctor in Australia someday. (He became a doctor and could pilot a small plane, but sadly, never made it to Australia.) I chose New Zealand for my first adventure "down under."
I found that New Zealand is a "Wow,... beautiful!" country with snow-capped mountains reflected onto lakes, lush rain forest, grassy green hills dotted with more sheep and cattle (and deer) than people, with rainbows and gorgeous beaches.
Except for the big cities like Auckland and Wellington, "even left-side" driven cars don't dominate the landscape and the friendly Kiwis all seem concerned with the environment and what to do to protect their homeland, which is about the size of California but with 1/9 the population. I may be wrong with the exact figures, but I believe the Maoris, constitute around 10-12% of the population and over 90% of them live on the North Island. The blending of cultures, Maori, Asian, Polynesian and European, is fascinating and the country tries hard to make it work.
Seeing the beauty of New Zealand, I wonder how any Kiwi can leave this country to live elsewhere in the world. Obviously there is a natural wonderlust to see the world (I always run into Aussies, Canadians, and Kiwis in my worldly travels) but also a necessity to find employment as there are only so many jobs available in some fields. Unemployment in NZ is roughly 6.8%. New Zealand also seems to send a disproportionally high number (considering its size) of troops into war, in support of the British Commonwealth.
The North Island is more populated than the South, but it is on the frontier-like, rugged South Island where the sports-minded can find abundant choices to go hiking, diving, fishing, jetboat and ocean cruising, bungy jumping (invented in NZ), zorbing (see below, photo from worldtag.us), water and snow skiing, kayaking, hunting, snowboarding, rowing, camping, and cycling. In fact, most sports that involve scary water, sky, ground or body contact is done in New Zealand.
Rugby World Cup 2011 mania all over NZ!! OMG! Lots of contruction in Wellington related to the worldwide crowd expected for the competition this coming fall. Here's a YouTube video (by Steve181) of the All Blacks NZ National rugby team doing the intimidating Haka (Maori war chant) during a game. (Refresh the page if the video doesn't come up)
I found that unlike the Aussies who revere the possum, Kiwis LOATH them, because according to the anti-possum movement, 70 million possums eat their way through 21,000 tons of fruit and foliage every night! So you will find creative ways of using and selling possum fur -- sweaters, hats, "tittie covers!" and wall hangings. (The Aussie and Kiwi possum is not the same as the American opossum.) Nevertheless, the animal looks cute to most tourists. Aww... (photo by Richard-Seaman.com)
The food is not unlike, nor prepared much differently than, American food, but iced tea is not commonly served, nor ice in drinks. I confused a waitress once asking for hot tea, because "hot" tea is usually the only tea they serve. As in the States, lamb is expensive -- but I loved eating lamb that hasn't been previously frozen. The hormone-free beef is wonderful. The Kiwis do love their Vegemitet or Marmite, which though rich in the B vitamins, is extremely salty and is spread thinly on buttered toast -- it is definitely an acquired taste. Pork and beans was always offered at the breakfast buffets that also included typical American hot and cold breakfast foods. Many Kiwis grab an inexpensive meat pie or grilled sandwich (panini) for lunch. How I miss the meat pies now that I'm back home! Green lipped mussels are available -- if you like mussels -- served cold or steamed Belgian-style with garlic and wine. I enjoyed many meals of local fish. Many restaurants seem like to serve their food stacked on a plate in a tall tower -- meat over veggies over potatoes or rice -- it can be quite interesting. Here's the US$15 Fat Dog Burger with veggie and green salad, cheese, fried egg, onion ring (secured with a long spike) my friend Aline had in Rotorua.
I'd always wanted to travel to Australia and New Zealand. My husband's London-born great-grandfather spent a year in the late 1800s in Australia and 3 years as an LDS missionary in Samoa. I wanted to see what enticed Great Grandpa Joe Carpenter to travel to far away lands. The first time I met my husband Brent, he spoke of becoming a flying doctor in Australia someday. (He became a doctor and could pilot a small plane, but sadly, never made it to Australia.) I chose New Zealand for my first adventure "down under."
I found that New Zealand is a "Wow,... beautiful!" country with snow-capped mountains reflected onto lakes, lush rain forest, grassy green hills dotted with more sheep and cattle (and deer) than people, with rainbows and gorgeous beaches.
Seeing the beauty of New Zealand, I wonder how any Kiwi can leave this country to live elsewhere in the world. Obviously there is a natural wonderlust to see the world (I always run into Aussies, Canadians, and Kiwis in my worldly travels) but also a necessity to find employment as there are only so many jobs available in some fields. Unemployment in NZ is roughly 6.8%. New Zealand also seems to send a disproportionally high number (considering its size) of troops into war, in support of the British Commonwealth.
The North Island is more populated than the South, but it is on the frontier-like, rugged South Island where the sports-minded can find abundant choices to go hiking, diving, fishing, jetboat and ocean cruising, bungy jumping (invented in NZ), zorbing (see below, photo from worldtag.us), water and snow skiing, kayaking, hunting, snowboarding, rowing, camping, and cycling. In fact, most sports that involve scary water, sky, ground or body contact is done in New Zealand.
Rugby World Cup 2011 mania all over NZ!! OMG! Lots of contruction in Wellington related to the worldwide crowd expected for the competition this coming fall. Here's a YouTube video (by Steve181) of the All Blacks NZ National rugby team doing the intimidating Haka (Maori war chant) during a game. (Refresh the page if the video doesn't come up)
I found that unlike the Aussies who revere the possum, Kiwis LOATH them, because according to the anti-possum movement, 70 million possums eat their way through 21,000 tons of fruit and foliage every night! So you will find creative ways of using and selling possum fur -- sweaters, hats, "tittie covers!" and wall hangings. (The Aussie and Kiwi possum is not the same as the American opossum.) Nevertheless, the animal looks cute to most tourists. Aww... (photo by Richard-Seaman.com)
The food is not unlike, nor prepared much differently than, American food, but iced tea is not commonly served, nor ice in drinks. I confused a waitress once asking for hot tea, because "hot" tea is usually the only tea they serve. As in the States, lamb is expensive -- but I loved eating lamb that hasn't been previously frozen. The hormone-free beef is wonderful. The Kiwis do love their Vegemitet or Marmite, which though rich in the B vitamins, is extremely salty and is spread thinly on buttered toast -- it is definitely an acquired taste. Pork and beans was always offered at the breakfast buffets that also included typical American hot and cold breakfast foods. Many Kiwis grab an inexpensive meat pie or grilled sandwich (panini) for lunch. How I miss the meat pies now that I'm back home! Green lipped mussels are available -- if you like mussels -- served cold or steamed Belgian-style with garlic and wine. I enjoyed many meals of local fish. Many restaurants seem like to serve their food stacked on a plate in a tall tower -- meat over veggies over potatoes or rice -- it can be quite interesting. Here's the US$15 Fat Dog Burger with veggie and green salad, cheese, fried egg, onion ring (secured with a long spike) my friend Aline had in Rotorua.
An amusing controversy is brewing in Wellington. Some are trying to construct a "Wellywood" sign (similar to the Hollywood sign) in the hills of Wellington to draw attention to the thriving Wellington movie industry to the disapproval of others who proudly feel they don't need to emulate anyone. I agree.
I was always asked where I was from and whether I was having a good time. Every Kiwi I met wanted me to be enjoying their country, and I did. What a great time I had!
